PRIME MINISTER

Iraq

David Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to provide medical facilities for civilians, including children, who have lost limbs during the conflict, when Iraq is fully liberated; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: We are supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross in its efforts to keep health systems functioning during the conflict.
	The provision of a comprehensive health system for the people of Iraq will be a priority for the post-conflict international rehabilitation effort. We will play a significant role in this process working alongside the UN, international financial institutions and non-governmental organisations.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Higher Education White Paper

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what representations he has received from Wales regarding the White Paper on higher education.

Margaret Hodge: My right hon. Friend and I meet from time to time, as do our officials, with the Welsh Assembly Government to discuss the HE White Paper proposals. Paragraph 7.52. of the White Paper 'The Future of Higher Education' identifies the need for further discussions with the devolved Administrations to consider the impact of our proposals for student and institutional funding on flows of students between UK countries.
	We have had seven comments from Wales on the White Paper.

Children's Centres

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects the first Children's Centres to be established.

Stephen Twigg: We expect the first children's centres to be announced in June 2003. These early designations will be existing settings that already meet the core offer for children's centres now. Local authorities will submit their strategic plans for rolling out children's centres by 15 October and we expect further announcements to follow throughout the Autumn.

School Staffing Costs (Essex)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what recent representations he has received on staffing costs in Essex schools.

David Miliband: None.

Smaller Schools

James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, What research his Department has conducted on the effect of smaller sized schools on (a) standards and (b) behaviour, with particular reference to under-achieving students.

Stephen Twigg: My Department has not conducted any research on the effects of smaller sized schools on standards or on behaviour.
	However a statistical bulletin we published in June 2002, on pupil progress by secondary school type, found that pupils in schools with year group cohorts of under 100 pupils made less progress than those in larger cohorts.

Adult Skills

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what new steps he is taking to improve the adult skills base of the UK workforce.

Ivan Lewis: Last month we published an interim report on the Skills Strategy, setting out progress we have made in developing the strategy.
	In June we will be publishing the Skills Strategy and Delivery Plan, which will set out how we will address the skill needs of the country, with a particular focus on raising the skills of the workforce, including those adults with low skill levels.

National Grid for Learning

George Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding from the National Grid for Learning has been granted to the Stoke-on-Trent local education authority in each year since 1999–2000.

Charles Clarke: Stoke-on-Trent LEA has been allocated the following funding through the National Grid for Learning Standards Fund Grant since 1999–2000:
	
		£
		
			  Total Grant 
		
		
			 1999–2000 1,000,000 
			 2000–01 1,000,000 
			 2001–02 1,356,063 
			 2002–03 1,685,167 
			 2003–04 1,624,151 
		
	
	Since 2000–01 funding has been allocated by formula. All figures include LEA match funding.

Sick Leave

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many days on average were lost per teacher due to sickness in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002 in (i) England and (ii) Buckinghamshire;
	(2)  how many teachers working in Buckinghamshire took early retirement under (a) premature and (b) ill-health retirement arrangements in 2001–02;
	(3)  how many teacher vacancies there were in Buckinghamshire in (a) January 2002 and (b) January 2003.

David Miliband: Table 1 provides the average number of days lost per teacher through sickness absence 1 for full-time and part-time teachers in the maintained schools sector.
	1 Sickness absence on working days, whether paid absence or not, of teachers with permanent contracts or contracts of more than a month, including teachers without QTS. The number of days taken as sick leave includes all periods of sick leave.
	
		
			  2000 20011 
		
		
			 Buckinghamshire 5 4 
			 England 5 6 
		
	
	(1) This is the most recent data available.
	Source:
	Annual 618G Survey of Teachers in Service
	Table 2 provides numbers of premature and ill-health retirements from the maintained schools sector in Buckinghamshire 2001–02.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Retirements 
			 Premature 40 
			 Age 20 
			 Ill-Health 10 
			 All Retirements 80 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Rounded to nearest 10.
	2. Data are provisional.
	Source:
	Pensioner Statistical System (PENSTATS).
	Table 3 provides the number of full-time teacher vacancies in maintained schools in Buckinghamshire.
	
		
			 January Teachers(2) Vacancies(3) Vacancy rate(4) (percentage) 
		
		
			 2001 3,360 59 1.8 
			 2002(5) 3,380 53 1.6 
		
	
	(2) Full-time qualified regular teachers in the maintained schools sector.
	(3) Advertised vacancies for full-time permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one term's duration) in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools. Includes vacancies being filled on a temporary basis.
	(4) Vacancies as a percentage of full-time qualified teachers in post.
	(5) 2002 is the most recent data available.
	Note:
	Teacher numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	DfES annual 618G survey

Specialist Schools

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the performance of specialist schools.

David Miliband: In 2002, specialist schools' 5+ A*-C GCSE/GNVQ performance was on average 6 percentage points higher than the equivalent performance in maintained, mainstream non-specialist schools (54.9 per cent. vs 48.9 per cent.).
	Research carried out by Professor David Jesson (University of York) shows that the performance of each cohort of specialist schools and City Technology Colleges (from 1994 to 2001) has improved more than schools that were non-specialist at the time, with the exception of the 1996 and 1997 cohorts (see following table). This research excluded grammar schools, which, however, form a very similar percentage of both specialist schools and non-specialist schools.
	
		PQ 106511: Comparison of rates of improvement for specialist schools by year of entry into the Specialist Schools Programme—percentage 5+ A*-C grades at GCSE
		
			  1994 (%) 1995 (%) 1996 (%) 1997 (%) 1998 (%) 1999 (%) 2000 (%) 2001 (%) 2002 (%) Gain versus base year 
		
		
			 Class of 1994 (50 schools) 40 — — — — — — — 65 +25 
			 All other comprehensives and moderns (2,948 schools) est. 36 — — — — — — — 48 +12 
			 Class of 1995 (41 schools) — 44 — — — — — — 59 +15 
			 All other comprehensives and moderns (2,907 schools) — 37 — — — — — — 48 +11 
			 Class of 1996 (62 schools) — — 50 — — — — — 59 +9 
			 All other comprehensives and moderns (2,845 schools) — — 38 — — — — — 48 +10 
			 Class of 1997 (72 schools) — — — 49 — — — — 57 +8 
			 All other comprehensives and moderns (2,773 schools) — — — 39 — — — — 48 +9 
			 Class of 1998 (82 schools) — — — — 45 — — — 53 +8 
			 All other comprehensive and moderns (2,691 schools) — — — — 42 — — — 47 +5 
			 Class of 1999 (76 schools) — — — — — 47 — — 52 +5 
			 All other comprehensive and moderns (2,615 schools) — — — — — 44 — — 47 +3 
			 Class of 2000 (127 schools) — — — — — — 47 — 52 +5 
			 All other comprehensive and moderns (2,488 schools) — — — — — — 44 — 47 +3 
			 Class of 2001 (146 schools) — — — — — — — 46 49 +3 
			 All other comprehensives and moderns (2,342 schools) — — — — — — — 45 47 +2 
			 All 656 non-selective schools designated by September 2001 — — — — — — — — 54 — 
			 All non-specialist comprehensives and moderns (2,342) — — — — — — — — 47 — 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Examination figures are taken from DfES national performance data and Ofsted PANDA Annex.
	2. The results include those of the 15 City Technology Colleges.
	3. The results exclude grammar schools and special schools.
	Source:
	"Educational outcomes and value added by specialist schools—2002 analysis" Professor David Jesson, April 2003.

Specialist Schools

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the examination performance of specialist schools compared with other schools.

David Miliband: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many staff were employed by his Department in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.

Stephen Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office on 4 April 2003, Official Report, column 891–92W.

Sunset Clauses

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the sunset clauses included in legislation from his Department since 1997.

Charles Clarke: The only sunset clause included in legislation made since 1997 from the DfES is contained in section 2 of the Education Act 2002. This is a power for the Secretary of State on the application of one or more qualifying bodies by order to make provision conferring on the applicant exemption from any requirement imposed by education legislation, relaxing any such requirement, enabling the applicant to exercise any function conferred by education legislation on any other qualifying body, and making any necessary consequential modifications.
	Subsection 7 provides that no order may be made after the end of the period of four years beginning with the commencement date (October 1 2002 in England; not yet commenced in Wales).

Truancy

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to reduce the number of days lost in school through unauthorised absence.

Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Wiggin), Official Report, column 391.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Crown Prosecution Service

Bob Spink: To ask the Solicitor General what recent representations she has received on the relationship between the Crown Prosecution Service and the police.

Harriet Harman: I receive regular reports on the relationship between the CPS and the police from the CPS at area and national level, the police themselves, and from individuals raising issues about particular cases.
	In order that the criminal justice system works as it should, it is essential that the police and the CPS work in close partnership.

British Prisoners (Guantanamo Bay)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Solicitor General if she will make a statement on the pursuit of costs by the Treasury Solicitors from British citizens who are seeking to compel the Government to act in relation to British citizens held in Guantanamo Bay by the United States.

Harriet Harman: The Treasury Solicitor is not pursuing any such costs. In the case of Abbasi the Court of Appeal made no order for costs.
	Relatives of a number of other detainees held by the United States Government sought unsuccessfully to intervene in the Abbasi Court of Appeal hearing. Cost orders were made against them, but following representations from their solicitors the Treasury Solicitor informed their solicitors by letter on 17 March 2003 that the claim for costs would not be pursued.

Domestic Violence

Ben Chapman: To ask the Solicitor General what discussions she has had with other Departments on measures to encourage witnesses to give evidence in cases of domestic violence.

Harriet Harman: I have had recent discussions with colleagues on the Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence on a range of issues connected with domestic violence. My hon. Friend will be aware that the Government propose to introduce a Domestic Violence Bill in the third session of Parliament. This will be preceded by a consultation to be issued this summer.

Assisted Suicide

James Plaskitt: To ask the Solicitor-General when a decision will be made on whether to bring charges in relation to the assisted suicide of Mr. Reginald Crew in Switzerland.

Harriet Harman: Merseyside police have conducted an investigation into the circumstances of the death of Mr. Crew and have decided that there is insufficient evidence of an offence to seek the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions to a prosecution under section 2(1) Suicide Act 1961.

Assisted Suicide

James Plaskitt: To ask the Solicitor-General what plans the DPP has to institute proceedings under section 2 of the Suicide Act 1961 against (a) organisations providing information on overseas assisted suicide organisations and (b) publishers or distributors of self-deliverance manuals; and what criteria he applies in the latter cases.

Harriet Harman: The decision to prosecute an offence under the Suicide Act, as in all cases, is taken in the light of all the evidence available, following an investigation conducted by the police. The DPP has not been asked for advice on whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute organisations who provide information on assisted suicide or the publishers or distributors of self-deliverance manuals. The criteria the DPP applies in all cases is contained in the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The code can be viewed at www.cps.gov.uk.

Departmental Costs

Julia Drown: To ask the Solicitor-General what the cost was to her Department of the case of R (on the application of Pretty) v. DPP 2001.

Harriet Harman: Mrs. Diane Pretty challenged the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions not to grant her husband prospective immunity were he to assist her in ending her life.
	The difficult and complex issues in this tragic case were considered by a number of lawyers in the Crown Prosecution Service and at the Treasury Solicitors Department. Senior Treasury Counsel was instructed to advise, and he appeared on behalf of the Director in the Divisional Court, the House of Lords and the European Court of Human Rights.
	The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not operate a system whereby time spent on individual cases is recorded. It is therefore not possible to calculate CPS staff costs.
	Treasury Solicitors did not apply for costs and did not therefore prepare a scheduled bill. These will be calculated and forwarded to my hon. Friend in due course.
	Counsel was paid a total of £20,984.94 for advising and appearing at court on behalf of the Director. This includes accommodation and attendant expenses.

CABINET OFFICE

Working Hours

Tim Yeo: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what policy on (a) core hours and (b) flexible working hours is operated by his Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office has a flexible policy on core hours. Individual management units are able to assess the extent to which core hours are necessary to support the delivery of their business. Where appropriate, core hours are usually 10 am until 12 noon and from 2 pm until 4 pm. Different core hours can be agreed locally.
	The Cabinet Office supports measures to improve the work/life balance of its staff including flexible working. The Department has a dedicated site on its intranet which promotes a variety of flexible working options open to its staff, including part-time working, job-sharing, working compressed hours or staggered hours, occasional homeworking and term-time working.
	These policies on core hours and flexible working are mirrored in our agency and the non-departmental public bodies for which the Department is responsible.

Equal Pay

John Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made with the pay review in the Cabinet Office, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which the Office is responsible, with particular reference to the gender pay gap; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office, Central Office of Information (COI) and the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) have separate delegated pay arrangements and have therefore been carrying out their own equal pay audits. COI and GCDA have completed their audits. The Cabinet Office audit is on target to be completed shortly.

National Insurance

John Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the cost will be to public funds in 2003–04 of the rise in national insurance contributions on the salary bill of his Department.

Douglas Alexander: It is estimated that the changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in the Budget will increase pay costs on average by 0.7 per cent. next year.

Sunset Clauses

John Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the sunset clauses included in legislation from his Department since 1997.

Douglas Alexander: No legislation introduced by my Department during the period in question has contained sunset clauses. However, as part of their better regulation agenda, the Government are committed to using sunset clauses where appropriate. The revised guidance on regulatory impact assessments (published on 28 January 2003) advises policy officials to consider time limiting or sunsetting regulations, and gives specific examples of where sunsetting might be appropriate.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Apsley House

Mr. Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the proposals for the future administration of Apsley House by (a) English Heritage and (b) an independent trust;
	(2)  what the (a) rules, (b) content and (c) dates were of the competition between agencies for the future management of Apsley House.

Tessa Jowell: Initial expressions of interest in the future management of Apsley House were invited in "Government Opportunities" on 15 March 2002, for which a closing date of 12 April 2002 was set. English Heritage and the Wellington Museum Trust expressed interest and both were subsequently invited on 11 October 2002 to satisfy a number of pre-qualification criteria by 15 November 2002.
	A tender evaluation panel with independent external expertise considered the responses from both parties in December 2002. My Department has been in detailed discussions with them since then, and a final decision will be taken soon on the shape of future management arrangements.

Film Diversity

Mr. Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Film Council will publish its strategy for ensuring diversity in film employment, following the publication of the British Screen Advisory Council's report, Achieving Diversity in Film in January 2001.

Tessa Jowell: The Film Council intends to publish its draft diversity and inclusion strategies in July 2003 and will consult with key stakeholders about its proposals over the summer. As well as aiming to increase diversity in film employment, the Film Council wants every UK citizen to have access to film culture.
	It has appointed a Head of Diversity and is working to ensure that the range of diversity and social inclusion issues is prominent when developing new policies and programmes. Meanwhile, a Cultural Diversity Group of industry practitioners is considering a range of practical measures to ensure that the UK's cultural and ethnic diversity is fully reflected both behind and in front of the screen.

National Lottery

Si�n Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is being done to revise the Fair Share scheme of National Lottery funding; and what steps are being taken to ensure that there is a workable mobility strategy in place.

Richard Caborn: Fair Share runs until March 2005. Tenders are currently being sought for evaluation, and at present, it is too early to know if the scheme will continue beyond March 2005 and, if so, on what basis.

Regions White Paper

Joyce Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress the Department has made towards the aim in the White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice, of assessing the balance of staff between the centre and the regions in terms of effective policy design and implementation; and what examples there have been since the publication of the White Paper of the Department deciding between locating new streams of work (a) in and (b) outside London and the south-east.

Richard Caborn: My Department is very aware of the importance of ensuring that the regions have a role in its policy design and implementation. The Department's regional agencies are largely responsible for ensuring the cultural and sporting agenda is delivered, and we already make considerable efforts to ensure that they and the Government Offices in the regions participate in the policy making process. In addition, the Department's staff embedded in the Government Offices for the regions and the eight Regional Cultural Consortiums are responsible for championing the Department's interests in the regions.
	We are currently developing the DCMS policies outlined in the White Paper, and as part of this, we will be giving full consideration to the impact the creation of one or more Elected Regional Assembly will have on staffing at the centre and in the regions.

Tourism

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her Department is planning a review of value added tax on accommodation, as suggested in the report, The Structure and Strategy for Supporting Tourism.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	On 1 April 2003, the Government laid before the House their full response to the recommendations of the report, The Structure and Strategy for Supporting Tourism (Cm 5790), in the form of a command paper. The Chancellor of the Exchequer keeps all aspects of the tax system under review.

DEFENCE

Basra (Water Supplies)

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the US and UK forces are responding to the need for electricity supplies to be restored in Basra in order that sewage treatment and water pumping can resume.

Adam Ingram: There is little difference between the electricity supply to Basra before the conflict started and that since, with electricity generally available for around six to nine hours per day. Coalition forces have been helping the International Committee of the Red Cross to ensure that at least this level of supply is maintained.
	British forces also assisted the ICRC in gaining access to the water plant north of Basra International Airport and the water supply has been restored to its pre-conflict levels, operating at 60 per cent. capacity. UK forces are continuing to assist the ICRC in gaining access to water treatment and pumping plants.

Friend/Foe Identification

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been budgeted for Friend/Foe Identification in the Defence budget since 1991; and what proportion of the budget has been spent on this purpose.

Adam Ingram: 'Combat Identification' is the term we use to describe the capacity to distinguish between friend, foe and neutrals in modern joint and coalition military operations. Effective Combat Identification is delivered through the combination of three elements: Situational Awareness (knowledge of what is happening in the battlespace), Target Identification (the ability to positively identify a target within the battlespace), and Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (including such measures as the use of recognition devices on vehicles and the clear definition of areas of operation). Because it is so key to overall operational effectiveness, Combat Identification is a characteristic spread across a wide range of defence equipment, information systems, information technology applications, joint doctrine, training effort and battle procedures: it is not a stand-alone capability. It would therefore be impossible to give a meaningful dis-aggregated figure for Departmental spending on Combat Identification since 1991.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training in use of Arabic was given to military personnel and medical auxiliaries in the invasion forces in Iraq.

Lewis Moonie: A small number of military personnel were given training in Arabic language skills prior to their deployment to the Gulf in support of operations against Iraq.
	That aside, no additional training in Arabic was given to the forces now serving in the Gulf. Personnel deploying to the Gulf are issued with a language card that lists useful vocabulary and its meaning. These cards contain phonetic phrases to aid pronunciation. Training in Arabic is not provided for medical auxiliaries. We do, however, employ interpreters to work alongside medical personnel caring for Arabic-speaking patients.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on how the coalition forces invading Iraq convey to Iraqi citizens how they can surrender.

Geoff Hoon: The Coalition have dropped approximately 32 million33 million leaflets aimed at Iraqi citizens, mainly combatants, but also civilians.
	Those aimed at combatants include instructions on how to surrender, including adopting a non-offensive posture, raising a white flag, stowing weapons, and parking combat vehicles in a square formation.
	Those aimed at civilians advise on how to avoid being caught up in military action, by staying away from military targets, by staying indoors, and not interfering with coalition operations.
	In addition, the Coalition have used radio and loudspeaker broadcasts to convey specific surrender instructions to combatants.

Iraq

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Iraqi tanks and of what types have been destroyed by British Forces in Iraq since the start of the Operation TELIC.

Geoff Hoon: United Kingdom land forces in Iraq have destroyed T54 and T55 tanks. In addition, the Royal Air Force has attacked Republican Guard formations and has destroyed some of their equipment which is likely to have included T72 tanks. It will be some time before any estimate could be made about the numbers of tanks destroyed by UK forces.

Iraq

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assurances the Government has received from the United States that any irregular Iraqi troops will be treated according to the Geneva Convention.

Adam Ingram: Under the Geneva Convention, treatment of prisoners taken during hostilities is a matter for the Detaining Power. We will adhere to our obligations under the Geneva Convention towards all prisoners we capture. We are confident that the United States will do likewise.

Iraq

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to send additional British troops to the Gulf.

Geoff Hoon: As I told the House on 31 March 2003, Official Report, columns 64950 and 3 April 2003, Official Report, column 1074, we plan to send out replacements for our forces as and when they prove necessary. At this stage, we do not require a substantial increase in the total number offerees in theatre.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many days (a) food rations and (b) water supplies are loaded on the RFA Sir Galahad; and how many people he estimates will be provided with shelter from the vessels supplies.

Adam Ingram: On 28 March 2003, RFA Sir Galahad delivered some 300 tonnes of humanitarian aid at Umm Qasr, Iraq. The load included 100 tonnes of bottled water and 187 tonnes of food. This has been, and will continue to be distributed, as required, across an expanding area of operations. It is not accurate, therefore, to characterise the amount as 'days of supplies'. However, a large number of people in southern Iraq will benefit from the delivery.
	Also, as part of humanitarian aid emergency packs, the load carried two and a half tonnes of blankets and half a tonne of plastic sheeting (normally intended to shelter the supplies, if required). None of this was specifically to provide shelter nor has this been found to be a particular requirement.

Reserve Notices

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reserve notices have been issued to date.

Lewis Moonie: As at 8 April 2003, in support of Operation TELIC 8,549 call-out notices had been issued. At the same time 5,051 Reservists had been accepted into service.

Type 23 Frigates

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether all the Fleet's Type 23 frigates will be equipped with sonar 2087.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 10 February 2003, Official Report, column 516W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis).

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Abandoned Cars

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers are available to (a) local authorities and (b) the police to remove cars abandoned on private land or property.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	Local authorities are already under a duty (section 3(1) of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 to remove a vehicle which is abandoned in their area on any land in the open air or on any other land forming part of a highway.
	For vehicles abandoned on private land, the local authority enters onto the land using their powers under section 8(1) of the 1978 Act. Using their powers under Regulation 8 of the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986 they then serve on the landowner or the occupier a 15 day notice requiring them to remove the vehicle. If no representations are received then the local authority can remove the vehicle following the expiry of the 15 day period. Objections to the notice must be made by the landowner or occupier to the Chief Officer at the local authority within the 15 day period and the landowner or occupier must outline their reasons why they consider that the vehicle is not abandoned. If the local authority accepts the representations then the vehicle can remain on the land. If the local authority rejects the representations they will then remove the vehicle.
	Regulation 4 of the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986 empowers a police officer to remove vehicles abandoned without lawful authority on any land in the open air.

Council Tax

Nigel Evans: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the (a) county council, (b) local authority and (c) police council tax contribution, as applicable, for each local authority in England in (i) 200304 and (ii) 199697; and what the percentage change has been since 199697.

Christopher Leslie: A table setting out the county council, billing authorities' own and police authority contribution to each billing authority's area council tax has been placed in the Library of the House.

Council Tax

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the reasons for the divergence among local authorities in the percentage of total revenue expenditure raised through council tax;
	(2)  which local authorities raised 50 per cent. of their total revenue expenditure through council tax in 200102.

Christopher Leslie: One of the main reasons for the divergence among local authorities in the percentage of total expenditure raised through council tax is the varying extent to which authorities are dependent upon central Government grants. The distribution of grant between local authorities takes account of authorities' relative circumstances, in terms of both their need to spend and their ability to raise resources from council tax.
	It is, however, for local authorities to determine their revenue expenditure and council tax levels. Ultimately, they are answerable to their local electorates for their decisions. They should be seeking the views of their taxpayers about the level of tax that they will bear, and where their money is spent.
	St. Albans district council budgeted to raise 50 per cent. of its revenue expenditure through council tax in 200102. In addition, the following local authorities budgeted to raise more than 50 per cent. of their revenue expenditure through council tax in 200102:
	Aylesbury Vale district council
	Blaby district council
	Castle Point borough council
	Chiltern district council
	Congleton borough council
	East Dorset district council
	East Hampshire district council
	Elmbridge borough council
	Harborough district council
	Harrogate borough council
	Huntingdonshire district council
	Macclesfield borough council
	North Hertfordshire district council
	Reigate and Banstead borough council
	Rochford district council
	South Bedfordshire district council
	South Northamptonshire district council
	South Oxfordshire district council
	Stroud district council
	Tandridge district council
	Uttlesford district council
	Waverley borough council
	Wealden district council
	West Wiltshire district council
	Wychavon district council

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the expenditure of his Department on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002.

Christopher Leslie: I refer to the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 January 2003, Official Report, column 867W.

Electricity

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes in unit payments for electricity have resulted from the switch by his Department to purchasing renewable energy which is exempt from the Climate Change Levy.

Christopher Leslie: In response to Government targets, the Office has switched a number of its sites over to the purchase of electricity from renewable energy sources that are exempt from the Climate Change Levy. Where this has taken place, the actual average price was 3.67p/kWh, the 'standard' electricity price would have been 3.6p/kWh, so the increase due to the purchase of this renewable energy is 0.07p/kWh or 1.9 per cent.

Estates Renewal Challenge Fund

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many projects in (a) the Buckingham constituency and (b) Buckinghamshire have received funding from the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund; and if he will list the beneficiaries.

Tony McNulty: No projects in either the Buckingham constituency or in Buckinghamshire received funding from the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund.

External Reports

Francis Maude: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list (a) the title and subject, (b) the total cost to his Department and (c) the commissioned author or organisation of each external report commissioned by his Department and its predecessors in each year since 1997.

Christopher Leslie: A list of the titles published by and for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and its predecessors in each year since 1997 has been placed in the Libraries of the House. Publications of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister can be found at www.publications.odpm.gov.uk.
	Information on publications does not go beyond this level of detail and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Heating Systems

Don Foster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what plans he has to use regulations to require the installation of micro CHP heating systems;
	(2)  what research into the relative efficiency of condensing boilers and micro CHP heating systems his Department has assessed in developing its policy regarding building regulations.

Christopher Leslie: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not plan to use building regulations to require the installation of micro CHP heating systems. The regulations are couched in functional terms allowing the person carrying out the work to decide upon the best way to meet the functional requirements. To be prescriptive would risk stifling innovation.
	There has been no research into the relative efficiency of condensing boilers and micro CHP heating systems. Research into the efficiency of conventional and condensing boilers led to the development of the SEDBUK (Seasonal Efficiency of a Domestic Boiler in the UK) procedure. The SEDBUK procedure can be used to demonstrate that boiler efficiency meets the requirements of Part LI of the Building Regulations. At present the SEDBUK database of boilers (which can be viewed at www.sedbuk.com) does not include micro CHP systems because a means of taking the electrical energy benefit into account in the efficiency rating has yet to be developed. However research is on-going on this.

Local Authority Finance

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the calculation used by his Department to reach the conclusion that the forthcoming change in national insurance contributions would increase local authorities' pay costs on average by 0.7 per cent.

Nick Raynsford: The changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in the Budget will raise revenue by 4.0 billion in 200304. This puts pay costs up on average by about 0.7 per cent. across the economy, calculated by expressing the increase as a percentage of the total pay bill in the economy and allowing for the element on which NICs are not paid. At the time of the Spending Review, we looked at the actual total local authority pay bill for 200001, including pay, national insurance, pension contributions and other costs. This was then uprated by an assumption for pay increases to estimate the first year direct costs. The precise cost will be dependent on a number of factors including the actual pay award and the number of part-time staff employed by local government.

Local Authority Finance

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the additional cost to local authorities in a full year of the recently announced extension of TUPE provisions in PFI and PPP contract arrangements.

Christopher Leslie: Clauses 102 and 103 of the Local Government Bill confer new powers on the Secretary of State, the National Assembly for Wales and Scottish Ministers to require best value authorities, in contracting with other persons for the provision of services or in circumstances where a contracted-out service is brought back in-house, to deal with staff transfer matters (employment and pensions) in accordance with any directions made. This will enable the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to meet its commitment, following the Best Value Review to make statutory within local government the policy set out in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector and the Annex to it, A Fair Deal for Staff Pensions.
	The Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) published when the Bill was introduced contained estimates of cost based on data from a Local Government Management Board (LGMB) survey carried out in 1998. This survey found that up to 12 per cent. of local authority staff transferred without TUPE applying and up to 35 per cent. transferred without a broadly comparable pension. This figure represents contracts entered into in any one year but is calculated over the full term of the contract.
	The RIA estimated that for England and Wales the additional cost of protecting employees' terms and conditions could equate to almost 5.5 million. The additional cost of protecting employees' pension provision was estimated to be almost 21 million (the survey indicated that fewer contracts contained pension provision in the past). Therefore the total additional cost of protecting transferees' terms and conditions and pension provision could amount to almost 27 million.
	These estimates, however, illustrate a maximum possible cost scenario and because of policy and legislative changes since the survey was carried out, we do not consider that the shortfall is likely to be more than a few per cent. The RIA therefore made an assumption that if only 2 per cent. of employees currently transfer without TUPE and 6 per cent. currently transfer without a broadly comparable pension, then the additional cost of protecting these employees would amount to approximately 4.5 million.
	A revised RIA will be published shortly reflecting amendments made to the Bill during Standing Committee to extend the provisions to Scotland.

Millennium Dome

Nigel Evans: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost has been to public funds of the millennium dome project.

Tony McNulty: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) was responsible for building the dome and running the Millennium Experience. NMEC was allocated 628 million of National Lottery funds from the Millennium Commission for the Millennium Experience, which included the associated national programme of events across the United Kingdom as well as the dome at Greenwich. NMEC is currently in solvent liquidation and it is expected that some 25 million of this grant facility will not be required.
	Up to the end of December 2002, English Partnerships (EP) had incurred a total cost of 22.9 million. This includes, from 1 July 2001when EP took over the ownership of the dome4 million for the management, maintenance and security of the dome; 6.5 million for decommissioning the contents of the dome and its site in preparation for the future long-term use; and 5.7 million in connection with the sale process. It also includes 6.7 million for the previous competition to find a long-term use for the dome. All of these costs incurred by EP in relation to the dome will be recovered from sale proceeds.

Ministerial Transport

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost of (a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for his Department was in 2002.

Christopher Leslie: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002.
	Part (a) of this question will be addressed in a letter from Nick Matheson, the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) to the hon. Member for Buckingham. As for part (b), the cost of taxis from 1 June to 31 December 2002 was 21,704.

Mobile Home Parks

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce legislation to regulate the running of mobile home parks; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently considering how best to take forward the agenda for reform following the undertakings given by the Government in their response to the Park Homes Working Party report.

Mobile Phones

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many mobile phones used by (a) himself, his Ministers of State, and Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State, (b) his Department's special advisers and (c) his department officials have been listed as lost or stolen in each year since 1997.

Christopher Leslie: Since the creation of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 29 May 2002, the number of mobile phones used by Ministers, special advisers and departmental officials that have been lost or stolen are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of mobilephones lost Number of mobilephones stolen 
		
		
			 Ministers 0 0 
			 Special advisers 0 1 
			 Departmental officials (6)Records not held centrally (6)Records not held centrally 
		
	
	(6)Records on mobile phones are not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate costthe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently in the process of compiling a comprehensive list following the Machinery of Government changes.

Parish Council Elections

Peter Luff: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of the forthcoming parish council elections in (a) the Wychavon district council area, (b) Worcestershire and (c) England are contested.

Christopher Leslie: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Public Sector Pensions

Oliver Heald: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the (a) funded and (b) unfunded public sector pension schemes for which his Department, its agencies and its non-departmental public bodies are responsible; when the last actuarial valuation was of each scheme; what the value was of the assets at the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; what deficit is disclosed by the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has policy responsibility for the Firefighters' Pension Scheme. There is no pension fund and the scheme is a pay-as-you-go system with costs being paid by the employing authorities out of revenue and receiving contributions from employees. As an unfunded scheme administered by separate fire authorities no formal overall actuarial valuation is carried out.
	The last actuarial valuation of the English Partnerships Pension Scheme was carried out as at 31 March 2002. The value of the assets was 76.451 million and no deficit applied as at the last actuarial valuation.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Departmental Energy Policy

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase spending on energy efficiency and renewable energy; and if she will make a statement

Elliot Morley: In 20034 the total spending available from Defra to support energy efficiency will be 268,042,000.
	This includes 33,500,000 for The Carbon Trust, 22,487,000 for the Energy Saving Trust and 22,055,000 for the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme. In spite of heavy pressures on Defra's overall spending, these budgets remain broadly unchanged from last year reflecting the importance we attach to energy efficiency following the Energy White Paper. In addition, over 34,000,000 of capital grants and development support are available under the Community Energy programme. The budget for fuel poverty will be 156,000,000. No decisions have yet been taken about spending levels in future years.
	The Government have recently increased support for renewable energy by 60,000,000. Over the next four years, the Government plan to provide nearly 350,000,000 in direct support, mainly in the form of capital grants. Future increases in funding have not yet been decided.

Agricultural Shows

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received on behalf of the Monmouthshire Show Society about the impact of the six day rule on the movement of livestock to agricultural shows; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Letters have been received from the Monmouthshire Show Society expressing concern on this subject and a reply will be sent shortly.

Agricultural Shows

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what requirements her Department has placed on agricultural shows to provide licensed areas for livestock; how these requirements have changed since 2002; and whether the requirements differ for (a) cattle, (b) sheep and (c) goats.

Elliot Morley: Livestock shows in England and Wales must be licensed by the relevant Department before they can operate to make sure that they can comply with biosecurity standards. There may be an 'animal area' within the licensed premises if the whole of the licensed premises are not used for animals. Licence conditions for shows have been simplified in 2003 to make the biosecurity requirements easier to understand and operate. In particular, the new requirements focus on those dealing with animals at the show rather than visitors.
	The requirements do not differ for cattle, sheep and goats.

Animal By-products

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department plans to demonstrate to the European Commission that it is complying with the new Regulation of Animal By-Product disposal; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Member States must ensure that
	adequate arrangements are in place, and that a sufficient infrastructure exists
	to ensure compliance with the new rules. The collection and disposal industries advise that there is sufficient capacity within the existing infrastructure to deal with the estimated additional quantities of fallen stock arising from the ban on burial which comes into effect from 1 May. In addition, there will be a requirement for record keeping which will ensure that all animals which die on-farm are accounted for and disposed of through permitted routes.

Animal By-products

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funds she has made available to the livestock industry to assist with costs incurred as a result of the implementation of the EU Animal By-Products Registration.

Elliot Morley: No funds have been made to the livestock industry to help them meet the costs of complying with the EU Animal By-Products Regulation. However, Government are willing to contribute to the establishment of a national fallen stock collection scheme provided that part of the costs are met by farmers themselves. We plan to write to livestock farmers shortly to invite expressions of interest in a voluntary subscription scheme to meet farmers' contribution to the costs.

Departmental Savings

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what savings she anticipates will be available as a result of combining the BSE control and monitoring schemes, the Over 30 Months Scheme casualty collection service and the Fallen Stock TSE Surveillance Scheme.

Elliot Morley: These schemes are already administered centrally. The Government have proposed a voluntary subscription scheme for the collection of fallen stock which could also build upon these existing arrangements.

Fallen Stock

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the disposal of fallen stock.

Elliot Morley: The Government expect farmers to comply with the requirements of both European and National legislation and dispose of their fallen stock accordingly.

Fallen Stock

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice on biosecurity her Department received before imposing the new regulations on the disposal of fallen stock; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Department regulates outlets which deal with animal by-products, such as knackers yards, hunt kennels, rendering and incineration plants. Officials, including Vets from Animal Health and Welfare Directorate, are, therefore,involved in regular discussions with those industries and other interested parties.
	Animal By-Products legislation already controls the collection, storage and transportation of animal by-products, including animal carcases. It also requires records to be kept of any consignment of animal by-products to assist in the auditing and traceability of this material. General guidance on biosecurity is also available on the Defra website http://www.defra.qov.uk/animalh/animindx.htm

Fallen Stock

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people in Somerset will be monitoring the disposal of fallen stock.

Elliot Morley: The Department has 19 veterinarians in the Somerset and Dorset region (16 permanent and 3 casual veterinarians) who can provide advice and guidance. However, responsibility for enforcement rests with the relevant local authorities.

Fallen Stock

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what rules there are for the disposal of fallen stock to dogs in rural areas;
	(2)  what help is going to be given to the disposal on farms of fallen stock.

Elliot Morley: Currently, the Animal By-Products Order 1999 permits the feeding of fallen stock to recognised packs of hounds, provided the meat is not from animals that are suspected of being diseased.
	The new EU Animal By-Products Regulation will permit hunt kennels to continue collecting fallen stock. However, they will be required to upgrade to knackers' yard standards, if they wish to do so, to collect fallen stock for the purposes of feeding to hounds.
	The collection and disposal industries advise that there is sufficient capacity within the existing infrastructure to deal with the estimated additional quantities of fallen stock arising from the ban on burial which comes into effect from 1 May. However, we are aware that the new rules may increase the cost of disposal for some farmers and we have, since April of last year, been discussing setting up a national fallen stock collection and disposal service with farming unions and the disposal industry. Although progress has been made on the operation of a scheme we have not yet been able to reach an agreement on funding. Nevertheless, we are continuing our dialogue with the industry and plan to write shortly to individual farmers about the new rules when we will invite expressions of interest in a scheme partially funded by Government to which farmers can contribute by voluntary subscription.
	Guidance on the use of on-farm incineration as a means of disposal of fallen stock will be issued with this letter. Further information and copies of the relevant legislation, is available on the Defra website at the following address, http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods/default.htm., and from local Animal Health Offices.

Fallen Stock

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when her Department will issue and publish technical guidance on the use of on-farm incinerators as a legal alternative method of livestock disposal for fallen stock.
	(2)  what guidance her Department is giving to farmers about the Animal By-Products Regulation and the ban on on-farm burial; and how she will monitor their compliance.

Elliot Morley: We plan to write shortly to individual livestock farmers about the new rules. This will include guidance on the use of on-farm incineration as a means of disposal of fallen stock. Information is also available on the Defra website at the following address, http://www.defra.qov.uk/animalh/bv-prods/default.htm.. and from local Animal Health Offices. Compliance with the Regulation will be monitored through inspection and approval for on-farm incinerators, and in the case of fallen stock, by a record keeping requirement.

Fallen Stock

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to allow the use of biodigestion as a possible system for disposal of fallen stock; and whether she has promoted this method at EU level.

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the benefits of bio-digesters to handle fallen stock in specially designed concrete cylinders with a bacteria starter pack in terms of relative (a) environmental and (b) economic effectiveness; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans she has to permit bio-digestion of fallen stock in specially designed concrete cylinders on farms as an alternative to fallen stock collection after 30th April; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what representations she has made at European level to permit the bio-digestion of fallen stock in concrete cylinders on farms using a bacteria starter pack; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Although no representations have been made at a European level, I have received some correspondence from UK companies on the biodigestion of fallen stock. The biodigestion of animal by-products is not a permitted disposal route. However, the EU Animal By-Products Regulation may allow for novel disposal methods, such as biodigestion, to be permitted after consultation of the appropriate scientific committee.
	I understand that the EU Commission is considering for approval a number of alternative processes that have already been submitted by the industry. The Commission requires any submitted data to be structured in accordance with the 5 key components of the Framework prepared by the Commission's Scientific Steering Committee to assist the assessment of the risk from different options for the safe disposal or use of animal products. The key components cover:
	the identification and characterisation of the risk materials;
	the TSE risk reduction by the particular process;
	the degree of risk containment;
	the identification of interdependent processes; and
	the intended end-use of the product.

Fallen Stock

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to fund the collection of fallen stock from farms from 30 April; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The collection and disposal industries advise that there is sufficient capacity within the existing infrastructure to deal with the estimated additional quantities of fallen stock arising from the ban on burial which comes into effect from 1 May. However, we are aware that the new rules will increase the cost of disposal for some farmers and we have, since April of last year, been discussing setting up a national fallen stock collection and disposal service with the farming unions and the disposal industry. Although progress has been made on the operation of a scheme we have not yet been able to reach an agreement on funding. Nevertheless, we are continuing our dialogue with the industry and plan to write shortly to individual farmers about the new rules when we will invite expressions of interest in a scheme partially funded by Government to which farmers can contribute by voluntary subscription.

Fallen Stock

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs why guidelines have not been issued to farms regarding the proposed changes to the handling of fallen stock from 30 April; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: We plan to write shortly to individual farmers about the new rules, which will include guidance on the use of on-farm incineration as a means of disposal of fallen stock. Information on this matter, and copies of the relevant legislation, is available on the Defra website at the following address, http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods/default.htm, and from local Animal Health Offices. General guidance on bio-security is also available on the Defra website at the following address, http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/animindx.htm
	The EU Animal By-Products Regulation was originally proposed in November 2000 and interested parties have been consulted throughout negotiations on the draft Regulation.
	We have recently consulted on the draft legislation which will give effect to the controls in England. The consultation period closed on 21 March 2003. We are currently considering the responses, and preparing the final legislation.

Fallen Stock

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the extra cost of on-farm collection of fallen stock compared to on-farm burial; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as part of the consultation procedures for implementation of the Animal By-Products Regulation of which the ban on on-farm burial of fallen stock forms a part. The costs for any individual farmers will depend on the location of the farm and the kind of stock kept.

Fallen Stock

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many confirmed cases there have been of a direct link between fallen stock burial on farm and damage to human or animal health since (a) 1997, (b) 1992 and (c) 1982; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: This information is not available and it would in any case be very hard to prove such a link. However, concerns about water pollution and the lack of scientific information available on how persistent the prions that cause diseases such as BSE and scrapie are in soil justify the EU's precautionary approach towards on-farm burial.

Fallen Stock

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to permit the continued use of on-farm burial of fallen stock after 30 April to allow research into animal or human health risk associated with this method; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: We have no plans to permit the continued use of on-farm burial of fallen stock. The rules in the new EU Animal By-Products Regulation, regarding the disposal of fallen stock, have been influenced by a number of scientific opinions which take into account factors such as the potential for polluting water courses. Although the new rules will allow the continued use of animal carcases for diagnostic, educational or research purposes, the Department would, as competent authority, require any research proposal and the site on which it was conducted to be approved.

Fallen Stock

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential risk which fallen stock collection from farms presents to livestock and human health; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: No formal assessment has been made of the bio-security risks of a national carcase collection service. However, we would expect that only those collectors who follow agreed bio-security procedures would be allowed to participate in such a scheme.
	Animal By-Products legislation already controls the collection, storage and transportation of animal by-products, including animal carcases, it also requires records to be kept of any consignment of animal by-products to assist in the auditing and traceability of this material. General guidance on bio-security is also available on the Defra website:http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/animindx.htm.

Fallen Stock

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the impact on the (a) farming industry and (b) countryside of the prohibition on on-farm burial of fallen stock.
	(2)  when she will give instructions to farmers on alternative means of disposal of fallen stock; and how these alternative schemes will be funded.
	(3)  what representations she has received on the setting up of the Government of a national collection and disposal scheme for fallen stock; and what financial assistance she will provide to the farming industry in the establishment of a scheme.
	(4)  when the Department will issue guidance to farmers on how to comply with the rules on on-farm burial which will be introduced on 30 April.
	(5)  when her Department will produce guidance.on (a) the use of on-farm incinerators as a legal alternative method of disposal of fallen stock and (b) the possible use of a proportion of animals dying on-farm as carrion.
	(6)  what assessment she has made of the impact of the EU Animal By-Products Regulation on (a) the countryside and (b) farmers.
	(7)  what representations she has received on the introduction of biodigestion as an alternative system of disposal of fallen stock; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as part of the consultation procedures for implementation of the Animal By-products Regulation of which the ban on on-farm burial of fallen stock forms a part.
	The collection and disposal industries advise that there is sufficient capacity within the existing infrastructure to deal with the estimated additional quantities of fallen stock arising from the ban on burial which comes into effect from 1 May. However, we are aware that the new rules will cause difficulties for some farmers and we have, since April of last year, been discussing with farmers and the disposal industry setting up a National fallen stock collection and disposal service. Although progress has been made on the operation of a scheme we have not yet been able to reach an agreement on funding. Nevertheless, we are continuing our dialogue with the industry and plan to write shortly to individual farmers about the new rules. The provision of further government funding is dependent upon some contribution being made by farmers themselves.
	We are currently drafting guidance on the use of on-farm incineration as a means of disposal of fallen stock and will issue this shortly.
	We have no current derogations from the EU Animal By-products Regulation to permit the feeding of fallen stock to necrophagous birds and this is not relevant to the UK situation.
	I have received some representations on the biodigestion of fallen stock which we are considering. This is not currently an approved disposal method and this will not change when the Animal By-product Regulation comes into effect from 1May. Approval of any new disposal method would have to be made by the Commission.

Landfill Tax

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria she has drawn up to evaluate the performance of any revised scheme that replaces the landfill tax credit scheme.

Michael Meacher: Performance indicatorsrelating to recycling rates for examplewill be put in place for any schemes that replace the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. The indicators have not yet been fully developed, but will be made public as soon as they are. Progress against these indicators will be assessed regularly and made publicly available.

Ministerial Speeches

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place copies of the speeches she has made to outside organisations since 1 January in the Library.

Margaret Beckett: I have made numerous speeches since 1 January. Copies of my keynote speeches, and also those of my ministerial team, are available on the Defra website (as are some other, more minor speeches). Where possible, any other speeches are available on request, although generally not in an 'as delivered' format.

Over-30-months Scheme

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to have signed contracts for the current tender exercise for the incineration of tallow arising from carcases culled under the over thirty month scheme; and for what reason the signing of contracts has been delayed.

Alun Michael: The Rural Payments Agency have been in negotiation with a large disposal outlet identified under the tender exercise for the incineration of tallow arising from carcases culled under the Over Thirty Month (slaughter) Scheme and are hopeful of signing a contract with this outlet within the next 2 to 4 weeks. Discussions with the smaller disposal outlets identified under the tender exercise will be progressed once the requirements for this large outlet have been finalised.
	The delay in reaching agreement has arisen from the number of licencing, environmental and logistical issues which have to be clarified or resolved prior to signing the contract.

Public Services (Co-payments)

Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to introduce co-payments for the public services for which she is responsible.

Alun Michael: The Department seeks to deliver services to the public using effective, efficient and economical approaches consistent with Government policies on Sustainability.
	These approaches include a range of partnership formats where the financial arrangements may be shared with the private sector, including:
	the establishment of ISIS by British Waterways.
	PFI/PPP projects such as the new office buildling in Cambridge, and Flood Defence schemes at Broadlands and Pevensey;
	joinedup working with other Departments and the private sector on centrallyfunded projects under the Invest to Save Budget and Capital Modernisation Fund;
	joint ventures between Executive Agencies and private sector businesses under the Wider Markets Initiative;
	support for LINK projects.
	Defra will continue to use these approaches where appropriate.

Recycling

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of household batteries sold were recycled after use in 2002; and what plans she has to take measures to improve this record.

Michael Meacher: No assessment has been undertaken to measure percentage of household batteries recycled in 2002. However, the current recycling rate is estimated to be less than 2 per cent. for the UK.
	An EC Batteries Directive is currently being negotiated that will set targets for the collection and recycling of automotive, industrial and consumer (or household) batteries. In anticipation of these targets, the Government have set up a major pilot project to study the collection and recycling of consumer batteries in Bristol. The results of the pilot will be made available to all local authorities. Other pilot collection schemes involving industry, local authorities and/or waste management companies include those in Lancashire, Cheshire, Dorset, Barnet and Ealing.
	We expect the new batteries Directive will set collection and recycling targets for consumer batteries so it is likely that more battery collection and recycling schemes will need be set up throughout the UK.

Six-day Rule

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she last met representatives of the National Farmers' Union to discuss the effect of the six day rule; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Defra Ministers and officials regularly meet and correspond with farming union representatives on a number of animal health matters.

Six-day Rule

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she last met representatives of the (a) National Farmers' Union of Wales and (b) Farmers' Union of Wales to discuss the effect of the 6 day rule; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Defra Ministers and officials regularly meet and correspond with farming union representatives, including those representing farmers in Wales, on a range of animal health matters.

Six-day Rule

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she will amend the 6 day rule to allow agricultural shows to operate; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: When the 20 day standstill was reduced to 6 days most of the exemptions to the standstill, including the exemption for shows, were removed as a counter-balance to the increased risk created by the reduction in the standstill period. We are aware of the concern that the removal of the show exemption has caused and are looking at alternative suggestions put to us.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Antarctic (Amendment) Regulations

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the Antarctic (Amendment) Regulations.

Mike O'Brien: The Principle Antarctic Regulations of 1995 have been amended on 5 occasions by means of the Antarctic (Amendment) Regulations of 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2003. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received no representations in relation to any of these Regulations.

Burma

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the promotion by travel companies of holidays for tourists from the UK to visit Burma.

Mike O'Brien: HMG's policy is not to encourage tourism to Burma. We have drawn to the attention of travel organisations our policy and the views of the Burmese Democratic opposition that tourism to Burma is inappropriate at present due to the political and human rights situation there. As part of this policy, senior Burmese tourism officials are included in the European Union visa ban and asset freeze.

Congo

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is taking to restore peace in the Congo; whether it is his policy to bring about regime change in the Congo; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The UK is actively engaged with our African, EU and UN partners in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Government have supported the implementation of both the Lusaka Peace Agreement and the Pretoria Agreement of July 2002 as providing the most viable way forward.
	We warmly welcome the agreement signed in Sun City on 3 April as part of the Lusaka process, on the establishment of a transitional government with a view to democratic elections in two years time. We will continue to monitor progress carefully and help the DRC Government deliver free and fair elections which reflect the will of the Congolese people.
	We were shocked to hear of the appalling massacre of civilians by militia in the DRC's Ituri Province last week. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of all killed and those who have been injured.

Congo

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of the Congo following the reported massacre there; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We were shocked to learn of the appalling massacre of civilians by militia in the DRC's Ituri Province last week. My noble Friend the Baroness Amos issued a statement on 7 April strongly condemning this tragedy. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of all killed and those who have been injured.
	These killings, as with earlier militia attacks, underline the need to stop this senseless cycle of violence in the region. We call on all parties to stop fighting and join the political process, particularly now that a transitional government has just been agreed for the DRC covering the whole country.

Equal Pay

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with the pay review in his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible, with particular reference to the gender pay gap; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: As part of The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's commitment to the Equal Opportunities Commission Task Force Just Pay report, our pay review is under way and we plan to submit our action plan to the Cabinet Office by the end of April 2003. Our non-departmental government bodies were not included in our review as the members of the boards are paid expenses only.

Elizabeth Wilmhurst

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the resignation of Elizabeth Wilmhurst as one of his legal advisers.

Mike O'Brien: It is not our practice to comment on such cases, which are a matter for the individual concerned.

George Atkinson (Dubai)

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurance he has sought from the Dubai authorities that George Atkinson will be released from detention upon completion of the additional six months sentence imposed on him by the Dubai Ruler's Court due to end on 31 August.

Mike O'Brien: Our consul general in Dubai raised Mr. Atkinson's case when he called on the Dubai Ruler's Court on 19 January. The Court reiterated Dubai's previously stated position that Mr. Atkinson can expect to be released at midday on 1 September 2003.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many member states spoke (a) in favour and (b) against the United Kingdom-United States-Australian invasion of Iraq in the United Nations security council general debate on 26 March to 27 March; and what assessment has been made of the speeches opposing United Kingdom military action against Iraq.

Bill Rammell: The verbatim record of the interventions made at the Security Council Open Debate on 2627 March is available on the UN website (www.un.org). Many of the interventions express views which are difficult to characterise either as in favour of, or opposed to, the military action being taken to enforce Security Council resolutions.
	The coalition action has active support from over 40 countries.

Moldova

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to (a) the European Commission and (b) European partners on improving economic conditions in Moldova; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The UK is at the forefront of discussions within the EU on building a closer relationship with Moldova, including on improving economic conditions. The UK, via the Wider Europe initiative launched by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last year, has been considering a package of incentives for Moldova including work towards greater economic interdependence. The Department for International Development (DFID) is helping to improve economic conditions in Moldova primarily through the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process (PRSP) and directly through support to the Medium Term Expenditure Framework in partnership with the Ministry of Finance. Under the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement with the EU, Moldovan exports receive Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment. Also as a developing country, Moldova benefits from the EC's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). Further market oriented reforms must take place in Moldova for economic conditions to improve.

Nigeria

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring the UK is undertaking of the Nigerian elections, with particular reference to communal violence.

Bill Rammell: The UK is part of the EU election observer team which has already arrived in Nigeria. With 96 observers in total it is the largest international team to be monitoring the elections. The UK has partially funded the Commonwealth observer mission, over a third of whom are African. The British High Commission in Abuja will provide 35 separate observers.
	All the observer teams are aware of the need for peaceful, free and fair elections. HMG have allocated 3 million for supporting the elections. This includes help for the Nigerian Electoral Commission, training of journalists and work on a police code for the elections. In addition, DfID, in collaboration with other donors, has funded the Institute for Democratic Alternatives in South Africa (IDASA), an experienced NGO, to monitor communal electoral violence throughout Nigeria and to produce a weekly summary of incidents.

Nigeria

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases of inter-communal violence the Department has investigated in Nigeria in the last six months.

Bill Rammell: The High Commission in Nigeria reports on cases of inter-communal violence when they occur, basing its information on first hand reports from local contacts and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the region. It is for the Federal Government of Nigeria and the local Nigerian authorities, not HMG, to investigate the incidents. We are, however, active in seeking to prevent these clashes, for example through support for the work of Coventry Cathedral's Centre for reconciliation.

Rwanda, Congo and Great Lakes

Ivan Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the situation in Rwanda, the Congo and the Great Lakes region.

Bill Rammell: Our aim is lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. Recent developments have been encouraging, although we remain concerned about the humanitarian situation, continued outbreaks of fighting and human rights abuses, particularly in eastern Congo.
	In the Democratic Republic of Congo we warmly welcome the recent agreement on the establishment of a transitional government with a view to democratic elections in two years time. We hope that the Congolese people can take this opportunity to end almost five years of civil war. We were shocked to learn of the appalling civilian massacre by militia in and around the town of Drodro in DRC's Ituri Province on 3 April. The UK strongly condemns such acts.
	In Rwanda, preparations are in hand for a full national referendum on the Constitution, to be held on 26 May. We look forward to free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections later this year.
	In Burundi we welcome President Buyoya's commitment to hand over power on 1 May. This will be a further important step in the implementation of the Arusha peace process.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff are employed by his Department.

Mike O'Brien: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office employs 9,060 staff, as of 1 January 2003. This figure includes 3,189 locally engaged staff.

Staff Union Duties

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies receive paid leave to undertake union duties; how many days they are allocated; and what has been the cost to public funds in 2002.

Mike O'Brien: All Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff are entitled to undertake union duties. The FCO allocates the equivalent of a total of seven full days for this. The cost to public funds in 2002 was 154,811. About 50 members of staff are members of union or branch committees.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department has taken to ensure the education of the children of Haitians who have received citizenship from the Turks and Caicos.

Mike O'Brien: The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has a policy of free compulsory education for all children aged 5 to 16 who legally reside in the Territory. As the criteria for school registration requires information on immigration status, some children were unable to register before the current school year. The Governor has asked for a re- examination of cases where children may have been precluded from attending school.

Working Hours

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy on (a) core hours and (b) flexible working hours is operated by his Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible.

Mike O'Brien: It is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's policy to support flexible working both in the United Kingdom and where possible at our posts overseas. Jobs are open to flexible working unless the nature of the work prevents this.
	We have a number of flexible working patterns in use at present including staggered hours, flexi-time, compressed hours, home working, school working hours, term time working and time off in lieu. Within the flexi-time scheme the core hours are 10.00 to 12.00 and 14.30 to 16.00 in London and 09.30 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 16.00 at Hanslope Park. We currently have 142 part time staffan increase of 35 per cent. since last year.

World Trade

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations he has made to the French Government concerning their stance on agricultural subsidies, with reference to the Doha round of world trade negotiations;
	(2)  what representations he has made to the European Commission concerning the French Government's stance on agricultural subsidies, with reference to the Doha round of world trade negotiations;
	(3)  what the Government's stance is on agricultural subsidies, with reference to the Doha round of world trade negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The Government remain committed to the declaration on agriculture made at the WTO Ministerial Conference meeting in Doha in November 2001. We want comprehensive negotiations aimed at substantial improvements in market access; reductions of, with a view to phasing out, all forms of export subsidies; and substantial reductions in trade-distorting domestic support. The Government were disappointed that the WTO's 31 March deadline to establish modalities for a new agreement on agriculture was not met. Agricultural trade reform remains critical for developing countries and is central to the Doha Development Agenda as a whole. WTO members must now redouble their efforts to reach consensus on agriculture by the 5th meeting of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun this September. We are working with all our EU partners, including the European Commission and France, to ensure that the EU plays its full part in bringing this about.

HEALTH

Community Health Councils

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community health council staff he expects will transfer to patient forums; and who will pay their salaries between the closure of Community Health Councils and the establishment of the patient forums.

David Lammy: Community Health Councils (CHCs) will be abolished from 1 September 2003. There will be no transfer of CHC staff to patients' forums. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Clive Efford) on 19 March 2003, Official Report, column 850W.

Community Health Councils

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total redundancy bill for closing down Community Health Councils.

David Lammy: It is too early to estimate the cost of redundancy as a result of the Community Health Councils (CHCs) abolition. To help avoid redundancies, a human resources framework for CHC staff has been agreed with trade unions and employing authorities. This framework provides for the establishment of clearing houses to pool local employment opportunities, training and other support to enable this group of staff actively to seek and obtain suitable alternative employment in the national health service.

Congestion Charge

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has made to the Mayor of London regarding exemption from the congestion charge for patients required to attend London hospitals for treatment but who are unable to use public transport because of their illness.

John Hutton: The National Health Service London regional office, in consultation with and on behalf of the NHS in London, was involved in negotiations with Transport for London to identify ways to minimise potentially negative impacts of congestion charging on NHS patients.
	For patients, reimbursement of the congestion charge can be claimed for a vehicle used to transport an eligible NHS patient to attend NHS appointments in the congestion charging zone.
	Eligible patients are those where:
	the relevant NHS body has provided assistance to enable the patient to attend appointments using private transport whether by reimbursement of travel costs or parking charges, or by the provision of free parking;
	the patient has a compromised immune system, requires regular therapy or assessment, or requires recurrent surgical intervention;
	the patient has been clinically assessed as too ill, weak or disabled to travel to an appointment by public transport.
	The NHS and the Directorate of Health and Social CareLondon will be closely monitoring the scheme to see what potential impact it may have.

Contingent Liabilities

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which contingent liabilities for which his Department has responsibility have matured in each of the last five financial years; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The following sums have been paid against contingent liabilities in the five years to 31 March 2002.
	
		
			 Contingent liability Year inwhich paid Amountpaid 
		
		
			 An indemnity to water undertakings in respect of costs, damages and expenses not otherwise covered by insurance claims arising from claims and/or proceedings on the grounds of alleged harm to health arising solely from fluoridation. 199798 4,000 
			
			 The Government originally paid 42 million to a trust from which payments are made to haemophiliacs infected with HIV virus, following treatment by the NHS with infected blood products. The Department has agreed to pay to the trust any sums required to make payments if the funds already provided prove insufficient. 199798 3,000 
			  19992000 1.99 million 
			  200001 2.52 million 
			   
			 The Department was found negligent in failing to stop treating patients with Human Growth Hormone by 1 July 1977at a time when possible consequences should have been apparent. Compensation will need to be paid to patients treated after this date who subsequently die from CJD. 199899 1.678 million 
			   
			  19992000 3.278 million 
			  200001 68,000

Departmental Fees

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which fees his Department, its agencies and associated bodies collect; how much (a) has been raised and (b) will be raised from each of these fees in each year from 198990 to 200405; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure.

John Hutton: The Department, its agencies and associated bodies collect fees or charges on a statutory basis and make charges where legislation allows on commercial services. Information where a fee or charge can be separately identified in accounts or departmental returns has been placed in the Library. Where fees or charges are not separately identified, income has been attributed to the receiving body.

Foundation Hospitals

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding the powers that would be available to a board of governors of a foundation hospital.

John Hutton: holding answer 8 April
	The powers available to a Board of Governors of a National Health Service foundation trust are set out in Schedule 1 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill. Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Board of Governors will be responsible for appointing and removing the chair and non-executive directors, and deciding their terms and conditions, approving appointment and removal of the chief executive and executive directors, appointing the auditor, advising the Board of Directors on development of forward plans and for approving the annual report and accounts.

Foundation Hospitals

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures are planned enable local people to elect the hospital governors of foundation hospitals.

John Hutton: holding answer 8 April 2003
	Procedures are set out in Schedule 1 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill. Subject to parliamentary approval, local people, patients and staff who become members of a National Health Service foundation trust will elect representatives onto a Board of Governors.

Hillcroft Site (Lymington)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 1 March 2003, Official Report, column 663W, on the Hillcroft site in Lymington, who negotiated on behalf of New Forest Primary Care Trust; whether the site was offered by tender; and whether the property was disposed of to the party which offered the highest sum.

Hazel Blears: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority have advised that the District Valuer and an independent valuer advised the primary care trust and carried out negotiations on its behalf.
	NHS Estates, the Directorate of Health and Social Care, the strategic health authority and New Forest PCT all considered this professional advice and concluded that the offer provided best value.
	NHS Estates Property and the Directorate of Health and Social Care approved a negotiated sale to a single bidder who was in a position to pay the best price for the property.

Market Research

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure has been incurred by his (a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental bodies in 2002 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; and if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each.

David Lammy: Copies of research reports are not routinely placed in the Library, although a list giving details of market and opinion research undertaken by the Department is made available. A list of research projects carried out by the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies for the financial year 200102 is available in the Library, and 200203 is being compiled and will be placed in the Library. These lists may not include all research projects, as some information is not centrally available.
	A list of expenditure incurred on opinion polling, focus groups and other forms of market research could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
	We are committed to consulting and involving the public to help inform both policy formulation and the delivery of better quality public service. Responsive public services are an important part of Modernising Government initiative.
	We only conduct or commission market or opinion research when it is justified by the needs of the policy programme and is the most economical, efficient and effective way to achieve the purpose.

Health Awareness Courses

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the awareness courses run by the NHS since May 1997; and how much each course has cost.

Hazel Blears: Public health awareness campaign initiatives run by the Department of Health's communications directorate since April 1997, are shown in the table. Public health awareness courses are not run from the Department. Details of any such courses which might be run within the national health service are not held centrally.
	
		
			 Name of campaign 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 
		
		
			 Antibiotics  * *  * * 
			 Blood donation * * *
			 CALM * * * * * * 
			 Flu * * * * * * 
			 Immunisation * * 
			 Keep Warm Keep Well * * * * * * 
			 Mind Out * * 
			 NHS Direct * * * * * * 
			 Organ donation * * * * * * 
			 RU Thinking (teenage pregnancy) * * * * * * 
			 Sexual health * * 
			 Smoking   * * * * 
			 TB awareness *  
		
	
	* Depicts year of campaign.

Overseas Health Treatment

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost is (a) in a UK hospital and (b) in a German hospital which carries out procedures in agreement with the NHS, (i) including and (ii) excluding the cost of travel to and from the UK and (c) a French hospital (i) including and (ii) excluding the cost of travel to and from the UK of (A) a hip joint replacement, (B) a knee joint replacement and (C) a coronary artery by-pass graft.

John Hutton: National health service national reference costs are provided on the Department of Health website. The average cost of a primary hip replacement is 4,356, the average cost of a primary knee replacement is 4,818, and the average cost of a coronary bypass is 6,275.
	A procurement process identifying spare capacity abroad is currently active, so the costs of specific procedures abroad are commercially sensitive. However, prices are comparable to spot purchasing in the UK private sector.

Pharmacists

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pharmacists have received grant aid to install consultation areas in their premises.

David Lammy: In general, the provision of consultation areas in pharmacies is primarily a commercial decision for the contractor concerned. Local national health service bodies may have made grants available, but no details are held centrally.
	As part of a research project where community pharmacists provide a structured service reviewing medication for patients with coronary heart disease, the Department has provided funding of between 900 and 1,500 towards the costs of providing or improving such areas to five out of 60 participating pharmacies.
	We are examining with the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee and the NHS Confederation how premises standards generally and the provision of consultation areas can best be reflected within the new national contractual framework for community pharmacy.

Specialist Services

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when the steady state funding arrangements for specialist services will cease; and what plans he has to monitor the impact of this change;
	(2)  if he will issue guidance to primary care trusts to ensure consistency in the arrangements for commissioning specialist services and continuity of service for patients.

John Hutton: Steady state funding lasted from April 2002 to March 2003. Strategic health authorities will monitor the effectiveness of primary care trusts' collaborative commissioning arrangements for specialised services.
	The responses to the consultation on commissioning arrangements for specialised services were published on 6 March 2003. Guidance was published on 31 March 2003 on commissioning arrangements for 200304.

St. Mary's Hospital, London

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing staff at St. Mary's Hospital, London have worked on extended 14-hour shifts in the last six months; and how many have worked on extended 14-hour shifts more than three times in a row.

John Hutton: The Department does not collect this information centrally.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Charities

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has collated on how many charities have converted to company limited by guarantee status (a) in order to avoid trustee indemnity insurance and (b) for other purposes in (i) each of the last three years and (ii) 2003 to date.

Beverley Hughes: This is a matter for the Charity Commission as the Government Department responsible for the regulation of charities in England and Wales. The Commission's Director of Policy will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Library.

Trustee Indemnity Insurance

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recent representations he has received from charities in relation to trustee indemnity insurance.

Beverley Hughes: Five representations about trustee indemnity insurance have been received from charities responding to the Strategy Unit Report, Private Action, Public Benefit: A Review of Charities and the Wider Not-for-Profit Sector although the issue of indemnity insurance was not raised in the report.
	This is also a matter for the Charity Commission as the Government Department responsible for the regulation of charities in England and Wales. The Commission's Director of Policy will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Library.

Asylum Seekers

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children of asylum seekers under the age of 18 years are being held in the former prison at Dungavel in Scotland; and for what reason.

Beverley Hughes: A one-off exercise carried out on 2 April 2003 shows that 21 people were being held in Dungavel Immigration Service Removal Centre at that date who were recorded as being under 18 years of age.
	Minors are detained only in two limited circumstances: first, as part of a family group whose detention is considered appropriate; second, when unaccompanied, whilst alternative care arrangements are made and normally just overnight.
	More detailed information on those in detention at 29 March 2003 is due to be published on 30 May on the Home Office website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/whatsnew1.html

Asylum Seekers

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) adults and (b) children under the age of 18 are held in each asylum removal centre in the UK; and how many have been held (i) for less than a month, (ii) between one and three months, (iii) between three and six months and (iv) over six months.

Beverley Hughes: The latest published information on the number of people held in each Immigration Service Removal Centre (IRC) is for 28 December 2002 and is given in the table. Information on the age of individual detainees is not collated centrally therefore information on the length of time that these people have been in detention is not available.
	
		Persons recorded as being held in Immigration Service Removal Centres at 28 December 2002
		
			  Total detainees Of whom asylum seekers(7) 
		
		
			 Dover 190 155 
			 Campsfield House 160 95 
			 Harmondsworth 150 110 
			 Hasl.ar 120 100 
			 Lindholme 90 80 
			 Tinsley House 85 45 
			 Dungavel 80 55 
			 Oakington 40 40 
			 Total 920 680 
		
	
	Figures are rounded to nearest five.
	(7) Persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers who are recorded as having sought asylum at some stage.
	Dungavel, Harmondsworth, Oakington and Tinsley House are the only Immigration Service Removal Centres that deal with family cases.
	A one-off exercise was carried out on 2 April 2003 to assess the number of children under the age of 18 detained in these IRC's, the results of which are contained in the following table.
	
		
			 Immigration Service RemovalCentre Children under 18 years of age in Detention at 2 April 2003 
		
		
			 Dungavel 21 
			 Harmondsworth 18 
			 Oakington 14 
			 Tinsley 3 
			 Total 56 
		
	
	Minors are detained only in two limited circumstances: first, as part of a family group whose detention is considered appropriate; second, when unaccompanied, whilst alternative care arrangements are made and normally just overnight.
	More detailed information on those in detention at 29 March 2003 is due to be published on 30 May on the Home Office web-site: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/whatsnew1.html

Asylum Seekers

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) adults and (b) children are held in each removal centre in the UK.

Beverley Hughes: The latest information published information on the number of people held in each Immigration Service Removal Centre (IRC) is for 28 December 2002 and is given in the table. Information on the age of individual detainees is not collated centrally.
	
		Persons recorded as being held in Immigration Service Removal Centres at 28 December 2002
		
			  Total detainees of whom: asylum seekers(8) 
		
		
			 Dover 190 155 
			 Campsfield House 160 95 
			 Harmondsworth 150 110 
			 Haslar 120 100 
			 Lindholme 90 80 
			 Tinsley House 85 45 
			 Dungavel 80 55 
			 Oakington 40 40 
			 Total 920 680 
		
	
	(8) Persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers who are recorded as having sought asylum at some stage.
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to nearest five.
	Dungavel, Harmondsworth, Oakington and Tinsley House are the only Immigration Service Removal Centres that deal with family cases. A one-off exercise was carried out on 2 April 2003 to assess the number of children under the age of 1 8 detained in these four IRC's, the results of which are contained in the following table.
	
		
			 Immigration Service RemovalCentre Children under 18 years of age in detention at 2 April 2003 
		
		
			 Dungavel 21 
			 Harmondsworth 18 
			 Oakington 14 
			 Tinsley 3 
			 Total 56 
		
	
	Minors are detained only in two limited circumstances: first, as part of a family group whose detention is considered appropriate; second, when unaccompanied, while alternative care arrangements are made and normally just overnight.
	More detailed information on those in detention at 29 March 2003 is due to be published on 30 May on the Home Office website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/whatsnew1.html

Asylum Seekers

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been brought against housing companies used by the Department for asylum seekers.

Beverley Hughes: The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) has not taken legal action against any of its contractors. NASS is aware that one of its contractors has been involved in a dispute with a former sub-contractor. NASS was not directly involved in this dispute. Their concern was for the safety of asylum seekers placed in accommodation affected by the dispute.

Asylum Seekers

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines are given by the Department to (a) GPs, (b) schools, (c) social services, (d) job centres and (e) the legal profession in respect of asylum seekers.

Beverley Hughes: The Home Office is responsible for meeting the direct needs of destitute asylum seekers and their dependants (accommodation and subsistence). Services such as education and health are provided in the same way as they are for anyone else moving into an area. Local Education Authorities (LEAs) have a statutory duty to ensure that education is available for all children of compulsory school age in their area, irrespective of a child's immigration status or rights of residence in a particular location. The Department for Education and Skills has produced guidance on supporting the education of asylum seeking and refugee children which covers good practice at both LEA and school level. The Department of Health is responsible for issuing guidance to primary care trusts/local authority social services respectively. Regional consortia have been established in each region of the UK and these include representatives from local councils, the education authorities and the National Health Service. Generally speaking asylum seekers are not allowed to work whilst their application for asylum is under consideration and no guidance is issued to Job Centres.
	The Legal Services Commission has entered into contracts with competent legal representatives to provide legal representation to asylum seekers. The voluntary sector is grant funded by the National Asylum Support Service to provide one stop services in dispersal areas to assist asylum seekers.

Asylum Seekers

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department's guidelines state that asylum seekers housed in cluster areas must be three miles or less from (a) a main post office and (b) a main rail station.

Beverley Hughes: The accommodation provided by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is chosen on the basis of suitability to house asylum seekers and their dependants within the cluster areas throughout the United Kingdom. The cluster areas are ideally based in towns and cities where suitable accommodation is available and where there is potential to provide a link with existing multi-cultural communities and to develop the support of local voluntary and community groups.
	The accommodation within the cluster areas is also located within a three mile radius of the main post office. If the accommodation is located outside of this three mile radius, it is the responsibility of the accommodation provider to cover the cost of travel to the main post office in order for asylum seekers to collect their support payments. There is no requirement for accommodation to be provided within a certain distance of the railway station in each cluster area.

Asylum Seekers

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be able to deport failed asylum seekers from (a) Northern Iraq and (b) the rest of Iraq.

Beverley Hughes: It is important that Iraqis start returning to their country once the conflict is over. We will start removing unsuccessful asylum seekers as soon as conditions make this possible.

Case Decision

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 3 March 2003m, Official Report, column 825W, on a case decision, for what reason Mr. Xhevat Murtezi, ref M1010576 and ML/LAB 19953, has not yet received notification of a decision; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 7 April 2003
	Mr. Murtezi was granted leave to remain on 2 April 2003. The delay in actioning this decision was due to an administrative error, which is very much regretted.

Children in Need

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the IRT system will allow the sharing of information on children in need before they come to the attention of the police.

Hilary Benn: Yes. As part of the drive towards more co-ordinated preventive services, IRT systems aim to improve information sharing between agencies working with children and young people at risk before the situation reaches crisis point. The primary focus of IRT is to pick up the early signs of difficulty and ensure a referral is made to the appropriate preventive service.

Correspondence

Clive Soley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what period of time his Department expects letters from the public to be answered.

Michael Wills: The Home Office aims to answer 95 per cent. of public correspondence within 20 working days in line with its published Service Delivery Agreement target.
	Home Office performance against this target for the period April 2002 to February 2003 for non-immigration matters currently stands cumulatively at 90 per cent. answered within 20 working days. No performance data are held currently for public correspondence on immigration and nationality matters.
	Improving performance against published targets is recognised as a priority across the Department. A new computerised Correspondence Tracking System is being introduced currently into non-immigration areas of the Department, and will make it possible for targets to be achieved for the first time. The same system will be introduced into immigration and nationality areas later in the year.

Correspondence

Ann Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister will reply to the letters from the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald, dated 13 September 2002, 11 November 2002, 27 January 2003 and 7 February 2003.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 1 April 2003
	I replied to the right hon. Member's letters of 13 September and 11 November on 7 January 2003, and to her letters of 27 January and 7 February on 10 April 2003.

Correspondence

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what steps he has taken in response to the letter from IND to the hon. Member for Leicester, East dated 3 October 2002 concerning the case of Mr.Mahmood Mohd Jibreel, date of birth 31 December 1968;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the case of Mr.Mahmood Mohd Jibreel, of Leicester, date of birth 31 December 1968, and the reasons for the length of time to take a decision on whether he is entitled to indefinite leave.

Beverley Hughes: I wrote to my hon. Friend on 9 April 2003.

Departmental Invoices

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the instances in which his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies failed to pay valid invoices within 30 days or after the agreed credit period in the financial year 200102.

Beverley Hughes: The available information is as follows:
	
		Home Office Payment Performance 200102
		
			  Number of invoices paid Number paid on time Percentage paid within 30 days Number of invoices paid late Percentage of invoice paid late 
		
		
			 Home Office 142,025 130,725 92.0 11,300 8.0 
			 Agencies  
			 Forensic Science Service 28,140 27,376 97.3 764 2.7 
			 UK Passports and Records Agency 13,493 12,989 96.3 504 3.7 
			 Prison Service 500,175 475,720 95.1 24,455 4.9 
			 Non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs)
			 (See Note 1)
			 Police IT Organisation 10,461 10,384 99.3 77 0.7 
			 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority 2,159 2,158 100.0 1 0.0 
			 Youth Justice Board 11,614 10,731 92.4 883 7.6 
			 Community Development Foundation 4,622 4,595 99.4 28 0.6 
			 (See Note 2)  
			 Commission for Racial Equality 7,829 4,384 56.0 3,445 44.0 
			 Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner 759 740 97.5 19 2.5 
			 Police Complaints Authority 507 506 99.8 1 0.2 
			 Parole Board 300 294 98.0 6 2.0 
			 Police Information Technology Organisation 10,461 10,384 99.3 77 0.7 
			 Criminal Cases Review Commission 2,706 2,701 99.8 5 0.2 
			 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority 2,159 2,158 100.0 1 0.0 
			 Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel 21,525 20,664 96.0 861 4.0 
			 Youth Justice Board 11,614 10,731 92.4 883 7.6 
		
	
	Notes
	1. The National Crime Squad, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the Central Police Training and Development Authority were not constituted as NDPBs until 200203.
	2. The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) had credit control problems with service providers in 200102 which resulted in a significant number of invoices being kept back, creating a backlog of payments. The Commission have been making a special effort to improve their payment performance in 200203 and this is reflected in a considerable improvement in the figures, with 77 per cent. paid within terms compared with 56 per cent. in the previous year (figures provided by CRE).

European Working Groups

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress with achieving transparency in respect of the European working groups for which his Department is responsible.

Bob Ainsworth: The Government have long been committed to greater openness in the EU Institutions. This was a key theme of the UK Presidencies in 1992 and 1998. Making it easier to gain access to non-sensitive documents is crucial to this. The Government welcomed Regulation 10492001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents. As a result, more documents are released to the public, whilst genuinely sensitive documents are given the protection they need.
	Much of the Council's work takes place in preparatory bodies, including working groups. Negotiations at all levels are generally held in private. However the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council occasionally holds open debates on general policy subjects. Discussions at the JHA Council are also reported by written answers to PQs in both Houses or by letter to the Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees during Recesses.
	Accountability and transparency of Council business to Parliament are ensured by the scrutiny process, to which the Government are also firmly committed. The scrutiny process offers the opportunity for Parliamentary oversight of proposals which are under negotiation in all but a few cases, such as agreement with third countries, which remain confidential during their negotiation. All deposited documents are placed in the Library and the Scrutiny Committees publish their reports, together with Ministerial correspondence relating to the proposals, on their websites (www.parliament.uk). Home Office Ministers regularly give oral evidence to the Scrutiny Committees of both Houses.
	We strongly supported the measures agreed at the Seville European Council to make the Council more open when in legislating mode. We remain committed to increasing transparency. The Future of European Convention is also looking at ways to make the EU more open, including through proposals for the Council to meet in public when it is discussing a legislative proposal.

Immigration and Asylum

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken in the last year was to deal with an application to his Department for travel documents.

Beverley Hughes: The average time in April 2002 was 68 days. This has decreased to 20 days in March 2003.

Immigration and Asylum

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what appeal rights will exist for a person granted humanitarian protection if they are refused all leave to remain in the UK when their case is reviewed at the end of the period of humanitarian protection.

Beverley Hughes: Providing the application for further leave is made before expiry of the current leave, an outright refusal is an immigration decision within the terms of section 82(2)(d) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, and accordingly, attracts a suspensive right of appeal under section 82(1).
	A person who fails to leave the United Kingdom voluntarily after this process, or who applied out of time for further humanitarian protection leave and was refused, is an overstayer. A decision to remove an overstayer is an immigration decision under section 82(2)(g), and again, attracts a right of appeal under section 82(1). This appeal is suspensive if an asylum or human rights claim has been made in the United Kingdom.
	In either case, all the grounds listed in section 84(1) of the Act may be cited in the appeal, in particular, that removal would breach the appellant's rights under the Refugee Convention or the Human Rights Act.

People Trafficking

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of women who have been trafficked for sexual exploitation have returned to their home countries in the last three years.

Beverley Hughes: The Nationality, Asylum and Immigration Act 2002 created a new offence of trafficking for the purpose of controlling someone through prostitution, the relevant sections of which came into force on 10 February 2003. Given that the powers came into effect very recently there is no information yet held centrally about numbers of victims of this crime.
	This information could only be obtained by examining the individual case files of every person removed under Immigration Act powers over the period in question.A voluntary returns scheme that will help reintegrate victims in their country of origin is currently under development and will be implemented later this year.

Police Complaints Authority

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of the Police Complaints Authority in relation to non-territorial police forces.

Bob Ainsworth: The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) can form an agreement with non-territorial police forces by virtue of section 78 of the Police Act 1996. The PCA has such agreements with six non-territorial forces. Where no such agreement exists between a police force and the PCA, the Secretary of State can direct that one be reached. The PCA can involve itself in any investigation into a complaint or conduct matter that has been referred to the PCA by a territorial force.
	Section 78 of the Police Act will be repealed next year, and will be replaced by sections 25 and 26 of the Police Reform Act 2002.

Refugees

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason he has suspended operation of the 1959 Council of Europe Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees.

Beverley Hughes: Intelligence gathered by the Immigration Service shows that significant numbers of people who had been accepted as refugees elsewhere were coming to the UK and making asylum applications in false identities. We considered that suspending the UK's operation of the 1959 Council of Europe Agreement, which allowed refugees settled in certain countries to visit the UK without a visa, was a necessary step to tackle this abuse.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Parliamentary database

David Winnick: To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee what progress has been made in providing access for (a) hon. Members and (b) the general public to a comprehensive list of Members who have entered the House since 1979.

Michael Fabricant: The House of Commons Information Office provides a range of basic information about Members of Parliament on the Parliament website http://www.parliament.uk/directories/directories.cfm including lists of Members by party and geographical area and the composition of the House by sex. Work has recently been undertaken to extend the database from which these lists are drawn to provide limited biographical information and details of the parliamentary careers of all those who have been Members of the House of Commons since May 1979. An early version of the database, which is not yet complete, is available to Members on the Parliamentary Intranet at http://hcll.hclibrary.parliament.uk/sections/hcio/members/mpssince 79.htm
	Once work on checking and correcting the entries is complete, the Library will consider how this information can best be published in both electronic and paper formats.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Congo

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the number of people who have died in the conflict in the Congo since 1998; what action her Department is taking to deal with the humanitarian problems in the Congo; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: The International Rescue Committee has just published a new report on mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which puts the number of people who have died as a result of the war there since 1998 at between 3.3 million and 4.7 million. It is important to be clear however that the vast majority of these estimated deaths were from disease and malnutrition rather than combat.
	We welcome this report and hope that it will not be misrepresented. One of the conclusions is that the general rate of mortality and in particular the rate of death from violence in the east of the DRC has decreased dramatically (by 90 per cent.) over the past year.
	The report's recommendations are welcome and are in line with Government efforts working with the UN and the South Africans to get the new Congolese Transitional Government installed in Kinshasa and for all foreign troops to withdraw as agreed in the Lusaka Peace Accord. Only Uganda has not honoured this commitment to withdraw fully. It is imperative that neighbouring states and groups in Kinshasa cease to provide funding and arms to factions in eastern Congo which are causing such suffering to the people of the region.
	DFID is providing substantial help to efforts directed at reducing the suffering of civilians with urgent humanitarian needs in Congo. Last financial year DFID provided over 11.5 million through the UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross in response to their emergency appeals and through international NGOs in the following areas: health, nutrition, refugees.
	The UK continues to play a major part in the international effort to bring this conflict to an end so that the long-suffering people of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda can look forward to a future of peace, stability and development.

Humanitarian Crises

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what money she has set aside from her Department's 200304 budget for the humanitarian crisis in (a) Southern Africa, (b) Ethiopia and (c) Afghanistan.

Clare Short: The current position is as follows:
	(a) Southern Africa: DFID's 200304 programme budget for countries in Central and Southern Africa is 179 million. It has not yet been determined what proportion will be allocated for humanitarian assistance.
	(b) Ethiopia: 19 million has been allocated to Ethiopia for 200304, of which just under half has been earmarked for humanitarian assistance. However, we continue to closely monitor the situation in Ethiopia and additional funds will be made available if necessary.
	(c) Afghanistan: My Department is committed to provide at least 40 million official development assistance to Afghanistan in 200304. We do not budget separately for humanitarian and development assistance to Afghanistan.

Iraq

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans are in place to ensure early access for UN agencies and international aid agencies into Basra.

Clare Short: The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) are already operating in Basra.
	Most humanitarian agencies require a permissive security environment before they can operate in Iraq. The Office of the UN Security Co-ordinator (UNSECOORD) provides security advice to the UN humanitarian agencies. Security updates are also being provided through the Humanitarian Operations Centre in Kuwait. NGOs are being issued passes to cross the Kuwait/Iraq border by the Humanitarian Operations Centre in Kuwait. Once the situation allows, NGOs will need to undertake their own security assessments before engaging.
	The military are discharging their humanitarian obligations under the Geneva and Hague conventions in order to provide relief in the interim in the territory they occupy. The military fully appreciates the need to hand over to humanitarian agencies as soon as the situation allows.

Iraq

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Treasury on reimbursement of sums drawn from DFID's contingency reserve for Iraq this year.

Clare Short: I have allocated 75 million of DFID's contingency reserve to humanitarian assistance in Iraq. On 27 March the Chancellor of the Exchequer allocated 120 million from HM Treasury's central reserve to DFID for its work in Iraq and set aside an extra 60 million on 9 April for DFID to apply to draw on if it is needed.

Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information her Department has received regarding an outbreak of diarrhoea in Basra.

Clare Short: My Department is not aware of an outbreak of diarrhoea in Basra. We are aware of a report on 4 April from a health worker in nearby Um Kail of increased incidences of diarrhoea.

Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with Stevedoring USA on the running of the port Umm Qasr.

Clare Short: My Department has had no discussions with Stevedoring Services of America.

Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the World Food Programme regarding the mass distribution of food in Northern Iraq.

Clare Short: The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that food stocks have been diminishing in northern Iraq but has recently delivered 850 tonnes of wheat flour to Northern Iraq from Turkey. This is the first part of an initial 6,000 metric tonne consignment expected to be delivered in the coming days. They intend to use these stocks to replenish the Oil for Food Programme distribution system, which has to a greater or lesser extent remained operational in Northern Iraq.

Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with international aid agencies to undertake urgent humanitarian relief work in Northern Iraq.

Clare Short: My Department has regular discussions with international aid agencies and NGOs on the humanitarian situation in northern Iraq.
	Within the last week, we have received the following reports of humanitarian assistance being provided within northern Iraq. The World Food Programme have been able to deliver 850 tonnes of wheat flour to northern Iraq from Turkey, which is the first part of an initial 6000 metric tonne consignment expected to be delivered in the coming days. Twelve further UNICEF trucks are also en route to the north. The World Health Organisation is supporting local health providers to assess disease outbreaks. The Mines Action Group (MAG) is undertaking mine clearance. Save the Children Fund UK are providing food and non-food items to internally displaced people sites. HelpAge international is continuing to assist vulnerable, elderly populations.

Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment her Department has made of the situation of the poorest families in Northern Iraq.

Clare Short: Reports from UN agencies indicate that a total of approx 260,000 people have been newly displaced in northern Iraq since the onset of the current crisis, though some have returned to their homes. Approximately 90 per cent. of these are staying with families or friends. The needs of the remainder are being met by local authorities and humanitarian agencies. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that food stocks have been diminishing in northern Iraq.
	Detailed needs assessments will be carried out once there is a permissive security environment.

Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many tonnes of food have been imported into Iraq via Umm Qasr.

Clare Short: The Royal Navy ships the Sir Galahad and the Sir Percivale have delivered some 600 tonnes of humanitarian aid into Umm Qasr, and UK forces are working to ensure that the port can be opened to commercial shipping as soon as possible. This will allow merchant ships carrying Oil for Food Programme stores and other supplies to enter the port.
	In addition, NGOs working from Kuwait are transporting large quantities of aid overland to Umm Qasr, for onward distribution in southern Iraq.

Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which aid agencies have refused to accept funding for their work in Iraq.

Clare Short: The British Overseas Aid Group (BOAG) has announced that Oxfam, Christian Aid, Action Aid and Cafod will not accept funds from the UK government for their work in Iraq.

Iraq

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the operation of the Oil for Food programme.

Clare Short: On 28 March the UN Security Council unanimously approved resolution 1472 giving the Secretary General authority to adapt the Oil for Food Programme (OFF) to changed circumstances so that it could continue to operate. While the UN, Red Cross and NGOs can provide assistance to cover a short gap in the OFF, with 16 million Iraqis totally dependant on the Programme and most families partially dependent, it is essential that the OFF fully resumes as soon as possible. The World Food Programme (WFP) concluded contracts last week to buy a further 400,000 metric tonnes of food aid for Iraq, which they intend to use to replenish the OFF distribution system. But they will only reach people if we can keep the distribution system in place. This means helping Iraqis keep 55,000 separate outlets across the country operating. The WFP is taking a lead in monitoring and supporting the distribution network.

Street Children (Central and Southern America)

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to increase funding to organisations supporting street children in Central and South America; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: My Department will continue to provide support to street children in Central and South America through our contribution to reducing poverty generally and through more direct support for organisations working with street children. Examples of the latter include our support for European Commission project covering El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala, which aims to improve the legal environment for children in those countries, and to strengthen local law enforcement agencies to combat trafficking and commercial exploitation of children. We have also been supporting a number of projects managed by Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) including equipment for homes for street children in Guatemala, and education for street children in Ecuador.
	We believe that the most effective way of helping street children is by tackling the conditions of poverty, deprivation and social exclusion which leads to their situation. We are working in partnership with the international development community and with Governments to reduce poverty and provide access for all to primary health care, education and social protection services.

Street Children (Central and Southern America)

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the government of Guatemala regarding street children.

Clare Short: The British Ambassador to Guatemala frequently discusses issues regarding street children with the Government there. My colleagues in the Foreign Office have also raised this issue during their visits to Guatemala.

Working Hours

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what policy on (a) core hours and (b) flexible working hours is operated by her Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which her Department is responsible.

Clare Short: The Department for International Development (DFID) are committed, subject to operational needs, to meeting requests from staff to adopt alternative working patterns, including reduced hours. Under our flexible working hours system, the flexible working day is between 7:00 and 19:00. The core hours are 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 15:30. A minimum half-hour break must be taken between 12:00 and 14:00. Staff can build up extra hours up to a maximum of two working days, and work with a similar deficit of two working days, within any four-week accounting period. Staff need their line manager's approval before they can take flexi-leave in lieu of extra hours worked.
	The Department has no agencies or sponsored public bodies with employees to whom the question applies.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Pension Poverty

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister for Women what discussions she has had with other departments concerning pension poverty amongst women; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 March 2002, Official Report, columns 61718W, about the way in which my Department is working with DWP on this issue, both at ministerial and official level.
	The Government are committed to ensuring that women are not disadvantaged regarding pension provision and enjoy a decent income in retirement. We have already introduced a range of measures including stakeholder pensions, minimum income guarantee and state second pension to help with this. From October 2003, the new pension credit will benefit lower income pensioners further still. Two-thirds of people receiving pension credit will be women, half of whom will be aged 80 or over.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Arms Exports

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reasons underlie the policy set out in the provisions of draft Orders under the Export Control Act 2002 that lack of criminal intent is not an acceptable defence in cases of strict liability offences involving the supply or attempted supply of goods or technology that might be used in the production of weapons of mass destruction; and for what reasons no equivalent provisions are included relating to the supply of information which might be used in the production of weapons of mass destruction.

Nigel Griffiths: The Government believe that in view of the seriousness of offences relating to the supply of goods, technology or technical assistance which the provider knows or has been informed are for use in connection with weapons of mass destruction, the person (or legal entity) concerned should be liable to prosecution whether or not there was a deliberate intent to evade the legislation.
	The draft Export of Goods, Transfer of Technology, and Provision of Technical Assistance (Control) Order does provide for strict liability offences in relation to the supply of information which is or may be intended for use in connection with the production of weapons of mass destruction. The Order makes provision for strict liability offences in respect of the electronic transfer of technology, the transfer by non-electronic means (including oral communication) and the provision of technical assistance in connection with a weapons of mass destruction programme.

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of the expenditure of her Department on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department's expenditure on newspapers, magazines and periodicals for 2002/03 is in the order of 536,732. These figures are provisional and subject to final audit.
	This includes expenditure on national daily and Sunday newspapers, regional papers, mass circulation magazines and journals, and academic periodicals. It also includes expenditure on annual publications, in particular reference works that would not normally be considered as periodicals. It is not possible to exclude such annual publications, except at disproportionate cost.

National Security

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what statutory powers the Government have to take action against companies or individuals threatening national security by releasing information about military technology and software on the internet.

Nigel Griffiths: I understand that this is covered by the Official Secrets Act 1989 and other legislation introduced by other Government Departments.

Post Office Card

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to promote the use of the Post Office card; and whether it is giving bank and building society accounts preference over the card method of payment.

Stephen Timms: The Post Office card account is one of a range of accounts that people can use to receive benefit payments into, and which will enable people who wish to do so to be able to collect their benefits in cash at post offices. Our aim is that people should be able to choose the option that suits them best. Information about all the options is being supplied to benefit, pension and tax credit customers by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Inland Revenue. Post Office Ltd. is also making its own information material available to customers.

Post Office Card

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals she has for facilitating the use of the Post Office card by (a) disabled beneficiaries and (b) users and beneficiaries acting through home helps or social workers.

Stephen Timms: The Government and the Post Office are working to provide a high quality range of services for all our customers, including those who wish to use the Post Office card account. As the service provider it is the responsibility for Post Office Ltd to ensure the accessibility of the Post Office card account.

Royal Mail

Richard Page: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the overseas companies in which the Royal Mail has investments; when each investment was made; what the amount of each investment was; and what the financial performance of each has been since it was made.

Stephen Timms: Royal Mail's overseas investments are a matter that falls within the day-to-day responsibility of Royal Mail and I have therefore asked the Chairman to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Sustainable Energy

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the additional capital grant funding for sustainable energy technologies announced in the 2002 Comprehensive Spending Review and the 2003 Energy White Paper is intended for the (a) offshore wind, (b) biomass and (c) solar PV grant programmes.

Brian Wilson: The allocation of this money between the various renewable technologies has not yet been decided.

Transco

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  when Transco refused to comply with the HSE and statutory regulation to reassess its engineers, engaged in safety work in domestic premises, to the Approved Competency Standard qualification;
	(2)  on what basis the industry the HSE issued an exemption notice to Transco from the requirement to reassess its engineers qualifications to the approved competency standard;
	(3)  for what reasons an enforcement notice was not served upon Transco by (a) the HSE, (b) Ofgem and (c) the Secretary of State when Transco refused to fulfill its statutory obligation to reassess its engineers qualification to the Approved Competency Standard.

Nick Brown: I have been asked to reply.
	I have been informed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that there is no substance to the suggestion that Transco refused to comply with requirements to reassess its engineers. Transco chose rather to take a new route through a national vocational qualification being developed by the appropriate national training organisation, the gas and water industries national training organisation, to align with regard to gas safety requirements, with the nationally accredited certification scheme for individual gas fitting operatives (ACS)
	In March 1997, Transco was registered with CORGI and all its emergency service operatives were deemed to hold valid certification under the Health and Safety Commission's Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) scheme, the sole means of demonstrating safety competence then in force. As this certification was valid for five years, no action could have been taken against Transco up to March 2002.
	If Transco were to breach legal requirements in this area, there is a range of enforcement action available to HSE under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, ranging from the provision of advice to the serving of an enforcement notice and, ultimately, prosecution.

Websites

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the (a) cost of and (b) number of visitors to each website operated by her Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which her Department is responsible in each year since its establishment.

Patricia Hewitt: For expenditure on and visitors to the Department's main website, I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 393W, and 24 March 2003 Official Report, column 27W. Information on other departmental and NDPB websites is not held centrally and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

TRANSPORT

European Working Groups

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress with achieving transparency in respect of the European working groups for which his Department is responsible.

David Jamieson: The Government have long been committed to greater openness in the EU Institutions. This was a key theme of the UK Presidencies in 1992 and 1998. Making it easier to gain access to non-sensitive documents is crucial to this. The Government welcomed Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents. As a result, more documents are released to the public, while genuinely sensitive documents are given the protection they need.
	Accountability and transparency of Council business to Parliament are ensured by the scrutiny process, to which the Government are also firmly committed.
	We strongly supported the measures agreed at the Seville European Council to make the Council more open when in legislating mode. We remain committed to increasing transparency. The Future of Europe Convention is also looking at ways to make the EU more open.

Rolling Stock

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on plans to improve rolling stock in the Great Western and Wessex areas.

John Spellar: First Great Western (FGW) is progressively introducing Class 180 Adelante trains to their services. In May, they will be extended onto the route between London and Cheltenham. The Strategic Rail Authority intends to investigate options for replacement or refurbishment of the 53 high speed train sets currently operated by FGW. Wessex Trains' Class 158 fleet is being increased to operate on the Stroud Valley shuttle services and the new Bristol-Worcester service from September 2003.
	Wessex Trains are also refurbishing their Class 150 fleet to improve passenger comfort.

Sunset Clauses

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the sunset clauses included in legislation from his Department since 1997.

David Jamieson: Since the Department for Transport was formed on 29 May 2002 no primary legislation for which it has been responsible has included a sunset clause. No transport legislation since 1997 for which a predecessor Department was responsible has included such a clause.

Train Franchises

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current franchise negotiations, with particular reference to the (a) Great Anglian and (b) Great Western areas.

David Jamieson: On 1 April, the Strategic Rail Authority announced that three parties had qualified as bidders for the Great Anglia franchise: Arriva plc; GB Railways plc; and National Express Group plc. The new franchise will incorporate existing Anglia Railways, Great Eastern and West Anglia rail services after the end of current franchises in 2004.
	The Greater Western franchise will commence in 2006, combining the services currently operated by First Great Western, Wessex Trains and Thames Trains. The Strategic Rail Authority intends to ask FirstGroup and Go-Ahead for proposals to run the Thames Trains franchise in the interim period 200406.

Transport Funding (Buckingham)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding has been awarded to projects affecting the Buckingham constituency from the (a) rural transport partnership, (b) transport grant scheme, (c) rural bus challenge fund, (d) rural transport development fund, (e) rural bus subsidy grant and (f) urban bus challenge fund in each year since their inception; and what the nature of the project and level of funding was in each case.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 8 January 2002, Official Report, column 59496W.
	Details of awards made within the county of Buckinghamshire, but not included in that reply are given in the following table. Records are not kept of awards by individual parliamentary constituencies.
	
		Since April 2001 the Government has provided 191,457 of grant funding to Buckinghamshire. The schemes are listed below:
		
			  
		
		
			 (a) Rural Transport Partnership Alternative Transport guide10,420 
			  Voluntary car schemes12,034 
			  Dial-a-ride services8,762 
			  Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes (RTP)86,612 
			  Rural Dial-a-ride11,040 
			  Walkways and cycleways33,321 
			  Aylesbury Vale Greenways research18,018 
			  Explore the Chilterns11,250 
			  Since April 2001 the Government has provided 23,121 of funding to Buckinghamshire. The schemes are listed below: 
			 (b) Parish Transport Grant Four villages transport21,840 
			 Scheme Tax Bus Service1,281 
			 (c) Rural Bus Challenge Fund 200102No award to Buckinghamshire in 2001 
			  200203350,000 for services in the Wycombe area 
			 (d) Rural Transport Development Fund The Rural Transport Development Fund (RTDF) scheme was merged with the Rural Transport Partnership fund in April 2001 
			 (e) Rural Bus Subsidy Grant(9) 200203837,352 
			 (f) Urban Bus Challenge Fund No awards have been made in Buckinghamshire under the Urban Bus Challenge fund 
		
	
	(9) RBSG is primarily for the support of new or enhanced rural bus services. In 200102 Buckinghamshire provided 46 services with the aid of the grant.

TREASURY

Iraq

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what communications there have been with the US Administration about the seizure of assets of Iraqis linked to Saddam Hussein.

Paul Boateng: The Government are in close and regular contact with the US authorities regarding assets of the Iraqi regime.

Israel

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in relation to the written ministerial statement by the Economic Secretary on 3 April on duty on goods imported into the European Union which originate from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories, whether the standard Israeli reply referred to, sent in response to verification requests for the origin of goods, will be taken as adequate reason to suspect that goods may have originated in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories and for the customs debt to be applied.

John Healey: As my statement on 3 April 2003, Official Report, column 68WS, made clear, the standard Israeli reply is insufficient to determine the real origin of the goods, or to dispel the reasonable doubt as to their entitlement to preferential duty rates under the EU/Israel Association Agreement. Preference is therefore being refused and HM Customs and Excise have now begun issuing duty demands.

Israel

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the rates of customs duty applied to non-EU countries which import goods to the UK, with particular reference to the duty on goods imported from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.

John Healey: A comprehensive list of customs duty rates applied to all goods imported to the UK is published in HM Customs and Excise Tariff, a copy of which is being laid in the Library of the House. Preferential duty rates on goods imported from the State of Israel are specified in the EU/Israel Association Agreement. As my written ministerial statement of 3 April 2003, Official Report, column 68WS, made clear, goods produced in the Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are not eligible for preferential duty rates under this agreement.
	The average full duty rate for goods under verification, where Customs have reasonable doubt as to their eligibility for preferential duty rates under the EU/Israel Association agreement, is 4.1 per cent.
	Details of duty rates applied to particular goods under verification cannot be disclosed, as this could lead to the identification of individual importers; Exemption 13 (third party's commercial confidences) of Open Government Code applies.

Public Liability Insurance

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department is doing to increase competition within the insurance industry in the provision of public liability insurance.

Ruth Kelly: The Office of Fair Trading is currently conducting a fact-finding study into the UK liability insurance market.

Departmental Annual Report

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the annual report of his Department will be published.

Paul Boateng: The spring 2003 departmental reports are to be published between 28 April and 16 May 2003. We will publish our departmental report within this window.

Employment Relations Act

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department have taken time off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999.

Ruth Kelly: In the Treasury, staff are allowed up to 10 days paid special leave in any one annual leave year for reasons of grave concern to the member of staff that can only be dealt with them in person e.g. the care of a sick dependant or a domestic emergency. Central records are not kept on the amounts of special leave taken in these circumstances.

Labour Statistics

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of working age people in the Buckingham constituency were in employment between March 2001 and February 2002.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Bercow, dated 10 April 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about employment in the Buckingham constituency. (108488)
	The working age employment rate in the Buckingham constituency for the 12-month period ending February 2002 is 81.5 per cent. This estimate is from the Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Parental Leave

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department have used their leave entitlement under the Parental Leave Directive since it came into force.

Ruth Kelly: Treasury staff are eligible for unpaid parental leave under the Parental Leave Directive. Central records are not kept on the amounts of unpaid parental leave taken.

Press Office

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed in his Department's Press Office; and how many were employed on 2 May 1997.

Ruth Kelly: HM Treasury currently has seven press officers in addition to the Head of Communications, and on 2 May 1997, the number was five in addition to the Head of Communications.

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the expected saving to public funds from the private finance initiative schemes due to become operational in 2003.

Paul Boateng: PFI extends the scope for cost savings in a variety of ways. For example, by putting substantial levels of private sector capital at risk and requiring companies involved to deliver clear levels of service at a fixed price over the long term, PFI ties payment more closely to performance; safeguards the quality of the service over the life of the contract and better ensures that public assets are delivered on time and to budget.
	For example, the National Audit Office's recent report, 'PFI: Construction Performance' confirmed that PFI has established an exceptional record in terms of delivery times and price certainty for the public sector. This record represents significant savings to public funds.

Private Finance Initiative

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many PFI contracts his Department or its agencies (a) have with and (b) are being tendered for by (i) Amey plc and (ii) consortia involving Amey plc; what the total value is of those contracts; what the average length is of the contracts or proposed contracts; and what assessment his Department has made of the financial position of Amey plc and the implications for his Department.

Ruth Kelly: None of the Chancellor's Departments have existing PFI contracts or tenders involving Amey Plc.

Secondments

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals have been seconded to his Department from (a) the private sector, (b) NGOs and (c) other, in each case listing (i) from which organisation and (ii) dates of secondments, in each year since 199798.

Ruth Kelly: The following information sets out the secondments into HM Treasury from 1 April 1997 to 31 March 2003:
	
		Secondments into HM Treasury1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998
		
			 Range Location Organisation Start date Numberofpeople 
		
		
			 D UK AA 23 March 1997 1 
			 D UK LGMB 1 April 1997 1 
			 D UK Bank of England 13 April 1997 1 
			 D UK Other 5 January 1998 1 
			 Total Range D4 
			   
			 E UK QBM Ltd. 1 January 1998 1 
			 E UK BZW 21 April 1997 1 
			 E UK Coopers Lybrand 21 July 1997 1 
			 E UK Pannell Kerr Foster 22 September 1997 1 
			 E UK Ernst and Young 5 January 1998 1 
			 E UK New Zealand Treasury 7 April 1997 1 
			 E UK Tresor 19 May 1997 1 
			 E UK New Zealand Reserve Bank 7 August 1997 1 
			 E UK Australian Treasury 8 December1997 1 
			 Total Range E9 
		
	
	
		Secondments into HM Treasury1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999
		
			 Range Location Organisation Start date Number ofpeople 
		
		
			 D UK AA 27 April 1998 1 
			 D UK Irish Finance 28 September 1998 1 
			 D UK Irish Finance 4 November 1998 1 
			 D UK Army 4 January 1999 1 
			 Total Range D4 
			   
			 E UK Dilston Management   
			 E UK Midland Bank 14 April 1998 1 
			 E UK Coopers Lybrand 5 May 1998 1 
			 E UK AA 1 September 1998 1 
			 E UK Deloitte Touche 4 January 1999 1 
			 E UK Ernst and Young 4 January 1999 1 
			 E UK Slaughter and May 21 January 1999 1 
			 E Europe European Commission 1 December 1998 1 
			 E UK Audit Commission 5 May 1998 1 
			 E UK Audit Commission 29 June 1998 1 
			 E UK Manpower 10 August 1998 1 
			 E UK Save the Children 1 September 1998 1 
			 E UK New Zealand Treasury 10 November 1998 1 
			 E UK New Zealand Res. Bank 10 January 1999 1 
			 E UK New Zealand Treasury 6 May 1998 1 
			 Total Range E14 
		
	
	
		Secondments into HM Treasury1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000
		
			 Range Location Organisation Start date Number of people 
		
		
			 D UK FSA 15 November 1999 1 
			 D UK Slaughter and May 13 December 1999 1 
			 D Japan Japanese Ministry of Finance 2 August 1999 1 
			 D UK London borough of Lambeth 10 January 2000 1 
			 Total Range D4 
			   
			 E UK Price Waterhouse 6 September 1999 1 
			 E UK Brunswick Public 19 July 1999 1 
			 E UK Price Waterhouse 10 January 2000 1 
			 E UK Institute of Fiscal Studies 7 February 2000 1 
			 E UK National Audit Office 4 October 1999 1 
			 E UK Thurrock district council 31 August 1999 1 
			 E UK Housing Corporation 15 November 1999 1 
			 E UK National Audit Office 1 January 2000 1 
			 E UK National Audit Office 10 January 2000 3 
			 Total Range E11 
		
	
	
		Secondments into HM Treasury1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001
		
			 Range Location Organisation Start date Numberofpeople 
		
		
			 D UK National Audit Office 6 August 2001 1 
			 D Europe Swiss Finance Ministry 29 August 2001 1 
			 D UK Legal Services Co 3 December 2001 1 
			 Total Range D3 
			   
			 E UK Deloitte Touche 24 September 2001 1 
			 E UK Institute of Fiscal Studies 24 September 2001 1 
			 E UK Accenture 18 February 2002 1 
			 E UK Bank of England 23 April 2001 1 
			 E UK Tidy Britain Campaign 24 September 2001 1 
			 E UK Bank of England 10 December 2001 1 
			 E UK Japanese Ministry of Finance 13 July 2001 1 
			 E UK Bank of England 1 September 2001 1 
			 E UK PUK 14 January 2002 1 
			 E UK University of Bristol 8 June 2001 1 
			 E UK Oxfam 3 September 2001 1 
			 E UK CARE 28 November 2001 1 
			 Total Range E12 
		
	
	
		Secondments into HM Treasury1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003
		
			 Range Location Organisation Start date Numberofpeople 
		
		
			 D UK FSA 7 October 2002 1 
			 D UK Women's Budget 6 March 2003 1 
			 D UK FSA 23 September 2002 1 
			 D UK Bank of England 17 February 2003 1 
			 D UK NCVO 15 November 2002 1 
			 Total Range D5 
			   
			 E UK Pannell Ker Foster 22 July 2002 1 
			 E UK Environment Age 7 January 2003 1 
			 E UK LGMB 24 February 2003 1 
			 E UK National Audit Office 6 January 2003 1 
			 E UK Other 23 February 2003 1 
			 E UK HM Forces 6 January 2003 1 
			 E UK Cambridge CC 19 June 2002 1 
			 E UK NCVO 15 November 2002 1 
			 Total Range E8

Secondments

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants have been seconded from his Department to (a) the private sector, (b) NGOs and (c) other, broken down by (i) grade of civil servants seconded, (ii) location and (iii) dates of secondments, in each year since 199798.

Ruth Kelly: The following information sets out the secondments out of HM Treasury between 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998
	
		Secondments out of HM Treasury
		
			 Range Location Organisation Start date Numberofpeople 
		
		
			  1 April 1997 and 31 March 2003 
			 D EU Bank of England 15 September 1997 1 
			 D UK British Cement 5 January1998 1 
			 D UK Securities and Investments 13 October 1997 1 
			 D UK UKBI 1 August1997 1 
			 D UK Securities and Investments 19 May 1997 1 
			 D UK Sanetra (Consultants) 1 December 1997 1 
			 D UK NHS 13 June 1997 1 
			 D UK European Banking RD 7 April 1997 1 
			 D UK Bromley by Bow CC 25 September 1997 1 
			 Total range D9 
			  
			 E EU EC 3 November 1997 1 
			 E EU EC 8 December 1997 1 
			 E EU EC 16 June 1997 1 
			 E EU German Ministry of Finance 12 September 1997 1 
			 Total range E4 
			  
			  1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999 
			 D EU EC 14 September 1998 1 
			 D UK Countryside Agency 5 May 1998 1 
			 D EU EC 1 April 1998 1 
			 D EU EC 21 September 1998 1 
			 D EU EC 14 September 1998 1 
			 Total range D5 
			 E UK Youth Justice Board 22 February 1999 1 
			 E EU Irish Finance Ministry 3 August 1998 1 
			 E EU EC 10 October 1998 1 
			 Total range E3 
			  
			 F UK Youth Justice Board 11 December 1998 1 
			 F UK Westminster and Industry 11 November 1998 1 
			 F UK International Commission 4 January 1999 1 
			 Total range F3 
			  
			 G NEU IMF 1 August 1998 1 
			 Total range G1 
			  
			  1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 
			 D UK CML 21 February 2000 1 
			 D UK SM Consultants 21 February 2000 1 
			 D UK NHS 1 April 2000 1 
			 D Japan Japanese Ministry of Finance 2 August 1999 1 
			 D EU EC 6 September 1999 1 
			 D EU EC 1 May 1999 1 
			 Total range D6 
			  
			 E EU Strategic Planning Services 2 August 1999 1 
			 E UK HSBC 27 September 1999 1 
			 E UK Granada Media 14 February 2000 1 
			 E EU Ministry of Finance (Sweden) 3 May 1999 1 
			 E EU EC 1 January 2000 1 
			 E UK London Borough of Camden 6 April 1999 1 
			 E EU EC 1 December 1999 1 
			 E UK London Borough Lewisham 14 July 1999 1 
			 E EU German Chancellory 31 March 2000 1 
			 E UK Kent County Council 12 July 1999 1 
			 E EU EC 1 June 1999 1 
			 E UK Azernjan Ministry of Finance 5 September 1999 1 
			 Total range E   12 
			  
			 G UK Capital RAS (Consultants) 13 September 1999 1 
			 G UK Youth Justice Board 13 August 1999 1 
			 Total range G2 
			  
			  1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 
			 D UK Institute of Fiscal Studies 30 May 2000 1 
			 D EU United Nations Eco. Comm. 17 April 2000 1 
			 D EU IMF 18 August 2000 1 
			 D EU EC 18 September 2000 1 
			 Total range D4 
			  
			 E UK 3I'S 1 August 2000 1 
			 E UK Audit Commission 21 August 2000 1 
			 E EU EC 1 February 2001 1 
			 E Japan Japanese Ministry of Finance 10 July 2000 1 
			 E UK Stats Commission 1 July 2000 1 
			 E UK Stats Commission 3 January 2001 1 
			 Total range E6 
			  
			 F UK Charities Commission 15 January 2001 1 
			 Total range F1 
			  
			  1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 
			 D UK Charity 2 September 2002 1 
			 D Japan Japanese Ministry of Finance 17 September 2002 1 
			 D EU EC 9 September 2002 1 
			 D EU EC 3 March 2002 1 
			 D EU EC 17 February 2003 2 
			 Total range D6 
			  
			 E EU European Banking Federation 21 October 2002 1 
			 E UK Gartmore Investments 9 September 2002 1 
			 E UK Accenture 31 March 2002 1 
			 E UK CRE 1 February 2003 1 
			 E UK Tesco 17 June 2002 1 
			 E EU French Finance Ministry 3 March 2003 1 
			 E UK RBS 31 March 2003 1 
			 E EU EC 1 April 2002 1 
			 E UK 3I'S 2 December 2002 1 
			 Total range E9 
			  
			 F EU EC 1 September 2002 1 
			 Total range F   1

Self-Employment

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many people excluding the self-employed received income from employment (a) between 4,616 and 30,420 and (b) above 30,420 in (i) 200102 and (ii) 200203.
	(2)  how many people received income from self-employment (a) between 4,616 and 30,420 and (b) above 30,420 in (i) 200102 and (ii) 200203.

Paul Boateng: Estimates for the number of taxpayers receiving income from employment and self-employment are given in the table.
	
		Number in thousands
		
			 Number of taxpayers 200102 200203 
		
		
			  Income from employment 
			 4,616 to 30,420 17,3000(10) 17,100(10) 
			 30,420+ 3,200(10) 3,500(10) 
			   
			 Income from self-employment   
			 4,616 to 30,420 2,100(11) 2,200(11) 
			 30,420+ 500(11) 5002(11) 
		
	
	(10)Excludes taxpayers who are also self-employed
	(11)Includes taxpayers who are also receiving income from employment
	These estimates are based upon the 200001 Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the Budget 2003.

Self-Employment

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many people excluding the self-employed he estimates will receive income from employment (a) between 4,616 and 30,940 and (b) above 30,940 in (i) 200304 and (ii) 200405.
	(2)  how many people he estimates will receive income from self-employment (a) between 4,616 and 30,940 and (b) above 30,940 in (i) 200304 and (ii) 200405.

Paul Boateng: Estimates for the number of taxpayers receiving income from employment and self-employment are given in the table.
	
		Number in thousands
		
			 Number of taxpayers 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Income from employment   
			 4,616 to 30,940 17,400(12) 17,200(12) 
			 30,940+ 3,700(12) 4,100(12) 
			   
			 Income from self-employment   
			 4,616 to 30,940 2,300(13) 2,300(13) 
			 30,940+ 500(13) 600(13) 
		
	
	(12) Excludes taxpayers who are also self-employed
	(13) Includes taxpayers who are also receiving income from employment
	These estimates are based upon the 200001 Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the Budget 2003.

Tax Credits

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Leeds West he estimates are eligible for (a) the child tax credit and (b) the working tax credit; and how many people he estimates will take up these credits in 200304.

Paul Boateng: It is estimated that (a) 540,000 families are expected to receive the Child Tax Credit and (b) 150,000 families are expected to receive the Working Tax Credit in the Yorkshire and the Humber region in 200304.

Tax

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were (a) starting rate, (b) basic rate and (c) higher rate tax payers in (i) 200102 and (ii) 200203; and how many he estimates will be in each category in (A) 200304 and (B) 200405 based on 200203 bandings.

Paul Boateng: The information is given in the table.
	
		
			   Number of taxpayers (thousands) 
			  Starting rate Basic rate Higher rate 
		
		
			 200102 3,040 22,070 2,940 
			 200203 3,080 22,460 3,050 
			   
			  Using 200203 starting rate band and basic rate limit 
			 200304 3,420 23,050 3,360 
			 200405 3,240 23,530 3,850 
		
	
	These estimates are based upon the 200001 Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the Budget 2003.

Terrorism (Insurance)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the impact on (a) householders and (b) car owners of the exclusions for claims on insurance policies relating to chemical, biological or other terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps he intends to take to ensure that (a) householders, (b) car owners and (c) holidaymakers can obtain cover for insurance claims arising from chemical, biological or terrorist attacks;
	(3)  what representations he has received from (a) householders and (b) car owners relating to the exclusions on the grounds of chemical, biological or other terrorist attacks from their insurance cover.

Ruth Kelly: We are aware of concerns about the availability of insurance against terrorist risks. We are looking carefully at the issues involved.

Timber

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much independently certified timber is being used in the refurbishment of the Treasury; and what proportion of the total timber purchased for this refurbishment this represents;
	(2)  how much timber is being used for the current refurbishment at the Treasury and for what purposes; and which companies are supplying the timber for refurbishment.

Ruth Kelly: The information is not available, as the project has not yet reached the stage of identifying the extent of the timber requirements. I will write to my hon. Friend with this information as soon as it is made available. However, we shall be seeking to use as much existing timber where possible and thereafter, procured from sustainable development sources carrying the PCS trademark or other equivalent internationally recognised independent certification system for good forest management.

Timber

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 24 March 2003, Official Report, column 64W, on sustainable timber products, what general criteria are used to select companies that have tendered for inclusion in OGC buying solutions framework arrangements; what environmental criteria are taken into account in this process; and if he will place a copy of the most recent advertisement that appeared in the Official Journal of the European Communities in the Library.

Paul Boateng: OGC buying solutions framework agreements are awarded following a competitive tender process in full accordance with EC rules. The main criterion for award is the acceptance of the most economically advantageous offer (i.e. value for money). The sub criteria include adherence to product specification, price, service delivery capability and whole life costs. Qualitative and whole life costs criteria will include relevant environmental factors such as energy savings, recyclability and disposal costs. As requested, a copy of the most recent relevant advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Communities has been provided.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Gas Safety

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will amend the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations (GSMR) 1996 to include (a) mandatory competence of employees of gas conveyors and their sub-contractors in line with the provisions of paragraphs 3 and 4, Part B, Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 for operatives working downstream of the emergency control, (b) a duty of publication of the safety case required of gas conveyors and emergency network co-ordinators by paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of the GSMR and (c) maintenance of the 12 hour limit for the prevention of gas leaks in paragraphs 7(4) and 7(5) of the GSMR.

Nick Brown: The Health and Safety Commission is currently reviewing the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations (GSMR) 1996, and has set up a working group representing industry, consumer, Government and other stakeholders to consider these and other issues. The Commission plans to publish a consultative document later this year. The outcome of this consultation will inform any advice that the Commission may offer to Ministers on amending the Regulations.
	The Health and Safety Commission also published, on 25 March 2003, a Policy Statement on Permissioning Regimes. The statement sets out the Commission's approach to be followed both when developing new permissioning regimes, including safety case regimes, and when reviewing existing regimes. The statement includes criteria for the disclosure of safety case information to the public. The forthcoming consultation on GSMR will provide an opportunity to seek views on application of these criteria to the publication of GSMR safety case information.

Gas Safety

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what annual rate of replacement of iron mains was achieved by Transco for the year 200102; what annual rate of replacement is predicted by Transco for 200203; and what assessment he has made of whether Transco is on course to achieve the annual rate of replacement needed to meet the target required by the HSE's gas mains replacement programme.

Nick Brown: The Health and Safety Executive does not hold this information in exactly the form requested 1 . The information that Transco have provided to HSE is available as follows:
	Transco's mains replacement programme has two elements. The Medium Pressure Ductile Iron Mains replacement programme and the other mains replacement programme.
	
		Medium Pressure Ductile Iron Mains replacement programme
		
			  1 Jan 01 to 31 Dec 01 1 Jan 02 to 31 Dec 02 
		
		
			 Budget  1076.5km 
			 Actual 1089km 1400.8 km 
		
	
	
		Other Mains Replacement programme
		
			  1 Jan 01 to31 March 02 1 April 02 to31 March 03 
		
		
			 Budget 996 km 1225km 
			 Revised Forecast(15)  1216km 
			 Actual 1101 km 932 km (as at 28 Feb 2003) 
		
	
	Notes
	(14) Transco's mains replacement programme originally ran on a calendar year basis. In 2001, this was changed to a financial year i.e. a 15month period. However, because the improvement notice required the work to be completed by 31 December 2002, Transco continued to provide data on progress with Medium Pressure Ductile Iron Mains (MPDI) replacement on a calendar year basis i.e. January to December.
	(15) The forecast for the 02/03 other mains replacement policy was revised downwards because the focus of Transco's work was on the compulsory work being carried out to meet the requirements of the Medium Pressure Ductile Iron Mains Replacement Policy.
	HSE's current assessment is that Transco will meet the revised forecast target for 200203. The data for the full year will be available shortly.

Benefit Overpayments

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much benefit has been overpaid in each of the last three years, broken down by type of benefit; and what the total amount of such overpaid benefit that was recovered was in each year, broken down by type of benefit.

Malcolm Wicks: As part of our strategy to reduce losses from fraud and error and improve the collection of debt, in April 2001 we established the Debt Management organisation within the Department. The key priorities of Debt Management include achieving an increase in overall recoveries and a long-term reduction in debt stocks, and improving the financial control of processes and the overall efficiency of debt organisation through the establishment of specialised Debt Centres.
	The available information is in the tables.
	
		Debt recorded and input to the Overpayment Recovery System by benefit -- 
		
			  19992000 200001 200102 
		
		
			 Attendance Allowance 9,773,288.97 16,267,021.50 11,955,190.03 
			 Invalid Care Allowance 11,222,521.23 11,359,424.18 8,180,199.74 
			 Severe Disablement Allowance 1,507,316.88 1,497,590.03 1,204,289.58 
			 Disability Living Allowance 11,022,462.65 13,959,427.62 10,330,301.50 
			 Mobility Allowance 25,109.21 45,899.24 34,652.23 
			 Disability Working Allowance 145,715.50 49,189.35 23,843.10 
			 Industrial Injuries Benefit 233,451.94 335,067.25 393,750.38 
			 Reduced Earnings Allowance 275,712.87 198,052.42 180,035.53 
			 Industrial Injuries Death Benefit 53,678.91 64,507.42 133,907.19 
			 Child Benefit 16,362,151.88 14,619,039.83 11,926,340.85 
			 Family Credit 5,177,369.26 341,856.44 90,681 .85 
			 Income Support 183,084,658.39 215,916,895.21 214,192,488.13 
			 Supplementary Benefit 297,945.80 339,755.17 204,939.63 
			 Pre 88 Housing Benefit 40,132.41 18,744.95 14,817.05 
			 Other(16) 355,865.34 355,540.93 215,399.38 
			 Jobseeker's AllowanceIncome Based 27,716,465.66 27,227,901.08 21,908,398.26 
			 Earnings Top Up 1,513.70 184.10 1,172.08 
			 Retirement Pension 17,387,756.06 23,749,019.99 26,250,436.74 
			 Incapacity Benefit 22,859,269.81 25,177,744.49 20,066,059.35 
			 Unemployment Benefit 117,798.64 25,349.83 19,256.76 
			 Widows Benefit 3,081,283.20 3,846,236.41 3,169,276.07 
			 Sickness Benefit 97,354.31 67,323.16 31,810.16 
			 Maternity Allowance 153,548.49 93,694.93 37,205.87 
			 Guardians Allowance 160.00 2,127.80 2,842.85 
			 Invalidity Benefit 942,978.38 623,498.52 369,246.77 
			 Jobseeker's AllowanceContributory 854,384.74 1,017,568.55 722,687.74 
			 Total 312,789,894.23 357,198,660.40 331,659,228.82 
		
	
	(16) 'Other' includes cases of obsolete benefits and cases where the overpayment benefit type is not identifiable, for example fraud cases where the debt has not been allocated to benefit.
	Notes:
	1. Amounts are calculated overpayments not estimated values of loss.
	2. Figures relate primarily to recoverable debt, that is overpayments relating to customer error or fraud. Other debts recorded on the system, for example official error, are not recoverable under benefit legislation but recovery may be considered under common law.
	Source:
	Overpayments Recovery System
	
		Overpayment summary level recoveries 19992000 and 200001 --  million
		
			 Financial year Value of overpayment recoveries 
		
		
			 19992000 184 
			 200001 177 
			 200102 188 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Summary level recovery information cannot be broken down by benefit type.
	2. Data are based on recoveries shown on the Overpayments Recovery System and the Overpayment Recovery Computer System.
	3. Recoveries do not necessarily relate to overpayments identified in the same year.
	Source:
	Programme Accounting Computer System and Financial and Management Information System

Benefits

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents of Hendon receive (a) job seekers allowance, (b) incapacity benefit, (c) disabled living allowance and (d) income support; and how many of those receiving income support are lone parents.

Nick Brown: holding answer 9 April 2003
	The latest figures available are in the table:
	
		Benefit recipients in the Hendon constituency
		
			 Benefit Number of claimants 
		
		
			 Jobseeker's Allowance (17) 2,100 
			 Incapacity Benefit (17) 1,600 
			 Disability Living Allowance (18) 3,100 
			 Income Support (all claimants) (17) 8,100 
			 Income Support (Lone Parents) (17) 2,400 
		
	
	(17) Figures for JSA, IB and IS are as at November 2002.
	(18) Figures for DLA are as at August 2002.
	Notes:
	1. The figures given are based on a five per cent. sample therefore subject to sampling variation.
	2. Parliamentary Constituencies are allocated using the relevant ONS postcode directory and are based on May 1997 boundaries.
	3. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	4. JSA and IB figures exclude 'nil benefit' cases who claim National Insurance credits only.
	5. Income Support Lone Parent claimants are defined as any live Income Support benefit unit where the claimant is under age 60,with dependents, and not in receipt of a disability premium.
	6. IB figure will exclude a small number of clerically held cases.
	Source:
	Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2002.
	IBfive per cent. sample of the Benefit computer system.DLAIAD Information Centre five per cent. sample.
	Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2002.

Child Support Agency

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) third party debt orders, (b) charging orders, (c) county court judgments, (d) levying of distress actions, (e) committal actions and (f) withdrawal of driving licence orders have been (i) sought and (ii) granted at the instance of the CSA in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Annabelle Ewing, dated 8 April 2003
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent
	parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply
	from the Chief Executive.
	You ask how many (a) third party debt orders (b) charging orders (c) county court judgements (d) levying of distress actions (e) committal actions and (f) withdrawal of driving licence orders have been (i) sought and (ii) granted at the insistence of the Agency in each year since 1997.
	The Agency does not collect or retain reliable information about the use made of different enforcement mechanisms or their relative effectiveness. This is one reason why, last year, I commissioned an internal review of our enforcement work. One outcome from that has been the establishment of a new enforcement management information package so that this information will be available for the future.
	With that proviso, my best estimate of the use made of different enforcement mechanisms is as follows. You will note that I have not, for each, been able to establish reliable figures for sought and granted.
	
		Third party debt orders
		
			 Year to 31 March Number 
		
		
			 1997 340 
			 1998 370 
			 1999 1,150 
			 2000 1,400 
			 2001 1,500 
			 2002 800 
			 2003 950 
		
	
	
		Charging orders
		
			 Year to 31 March Number 
		
		
			 1997 70 
			 1998 60 
			 1999 70 
			 2000 80 
			 2001 250 
			 2002 400 
			 2003 700 
		
	
	
		County court judgments
		
			 Year to 31 March Number 
		
		
			 1997 300 
			 1998 700 
			 1999 500 
			 2000 650 
			 2001 600 
			 2002 300 
			 2003 550 
		
	
	
		Levying of distress actions
		
			 Year to 31 March Number 
		
		
			 1997 800 
			 1998 1,000 
			 1999 2,000 
			 2000 2,300 
			 2001 1,600 
			 2002 2,100 
			 2003 2,400 
		
	
	Strictly the Agency does not seek either committal or the withdrawal of a driving licence. These are options available to a Magistrates Court. The number of cases we have taken in each year where the Magistrates choose committal are as follows:
	
		
			 Year to 31 March Number 
		
		
			 1997 0 
			 1998 Figures not available 
			 1999 33 
			 2000 7 
			 2001 22 
			 2002 5 
			 2003 16 
		
	
	The Magistrates chose to exercise the option of withdrawing a driving licence in two cases in the last year.

Child Support Agency

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many liability orders in Scotland have been (a) sought and (b) granted at the instance of the Child Support Agency in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Annabelle Ewing, dated 8 April 2003
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You ask how many liability orders in Scotland have been (a) sought and (b) granted at the insistence of the Child Support Agency in each year since 1997.
	The Agency has not collected or retained information about the use made of different enforcement mechanisms or their relative effectiveness. This is one reason why, last year, I commissioned an internal review of our enforcement work. One outcome from that has been the establishment of a new enforcement management information package so that this type of information will be available for the future.
	With that proviso, my best estimate of the number of liability orders obtained in Scotland is as follows:
	
		
			 Year to 31 March Number 
		
		
			 1998 260 
			 1999 400 
			 2000 700 
			 2001 470 
			 2002 200 
			 2003 280 
		
	
	Clearly there will be a difference between the number sought and granted but, for the reason explained, I am unable to reliably establish that.

Departmental Staff

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff have been employed by (a) the Department for Work and Pensions or the Department for Social Security and (b) each executive agency in each year since 1997.

Maria Eagle: Information is not available in the format requested prior to June 2001. Such information as is available is given in the table.
	
		
			 DSS/DWP 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Benefits Agency 63,718   
			 Child Support Agency 9,921 10,869 11,209 
			 Employment Service 32,198   
			 Appeals Service 905 909 884 
			 Jobcentre plus  83,783 78,543 
			 The Pension Service  9,930 15,801 
			 The Department for Work and Pensions 9,370 20,002 20,566 
			 Total staff 116,112 125,493 127,003 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Numbers are WTE (rounded) and are consistent with Cabinet Office definitions other than the inclusion of staff on paid maternity leave.
	2. Numbers for 2001 and 2002 are point in time as at 30 June each year. Figures for 2003 are point in time as at 28 February 2003, the latest data available.
	3. The increase in Department for Work and Pensions staffing in 2002 and 2003 is due to the inclusion of staff in Disability and Carers Service and Child Benefit Centre, previously counted as part of Benefits Agency

Jobcentre Plus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what plans he has to (a) close, (b) reduce the services available from and (c) reduce the opening hours of Job Centre Plus premises open to the public (i) in Hendon and (ii) serving Hendon residents;
	(2)  what consultations his Department has had with (a) trade unions, (b) customers and (c) others on changes to the operations of Job Centre Plus (i) in Hendon and (ii) serving residents of Hendon; with which other bodies or persons consultations were held; what the responses to the consultations were; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: holding answer 9 April 2003
	The administration of Job Centre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive of Job Centre Plus, Clare Dodgson. She will write to my hon. Friend.
	Letter from Clare Dodgson to Mr. Dismore, dated 10 April 2003
	As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about future plans for Hendon Jobcentre Plus offices and the level of consultation which has taken place in relation to this. These are issues which fell within my responsibilities as Acting Chief Executive of the Agency.
	The Jobcentre Plus Vision incorporates a commitment to continuously improve the quality, accessibility and delivery of services to all working age customers. Already, the Jobcentre Plus Pathfinder offices have begun to demonstrate a very different model of service, which has been widely welcomed by our customers.
	As part of the national roll-out programme for Jobcentre Plus, it was necessary to consider the services provided to our customers within each District. It became clear that we needed to review the existing estate and in some cases rationalise the accommodation in Jobcentre Plus and Social Security Offices. The aim of the review is to enable Jobcentre Plus to deliver a better, more focused and cost effective customer service.
	Within the North London District, the current service provision at the Hendon and Edgware Social Security Offices (SSOs) was reviewed. Various options were considered as part of this process and the favoured option was in providing National Insurance Number interviews at Hendon, and benefit enquiries/payments at Edgware. It was proposed that by centralising the customer services between the two sites, an overall improvement of service would be achieved. There are good transport links by bus between Hendon and Edgware and customers will be able to access services at both locations regardless of where they live.
	The staff affected by the changes to the Hendon and Edgware SSOs have been consulted. The Trade Union and staff directly involved with the proposed changes, were issued with a copy of the proposal on 4 April. Their comments on the proposal are due to be returned by 18 April.
	After considering the feedback, MPs and external organisations will then be formally notified of the proposed changes and comments will be invited. The proposed deadline for comments on the proposal is expected to be 2 May 2003.
	Decisions on the longer term plans for provision of Jobcentre Plus services in Hendon and Edgware will not be taken until nearer the proposed roll-out date, which is anticipated to be in 200506. This is when we expect to have the fully integrated model, currently operating in the Pathfinder Districts, to be introduced in the North London District.
	Burnt Oak Jobcentre was part of Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon District and is situated in the HA8 postcode area. Based on the rollout plan for this district for 200203, a decision was taken to close this stand-alone Jobcentre, which provided only a limited job broking service. Benefit customers have not been affected. Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon have been putting together these proposals over the course of the past nine months, during which time the local trade union has been kept closely in touch with developments. Although we did not consult customers themselves, we did write to customer representative groups including Community Mental Health teams, the London Homeless services team, local Citizens' Advice Bureaux and local businesses at the same time as we wrote to you and to other local Members of Parliament about the service delivery plan for the Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon Jobcentre Plus district.
	I regret that you feel that the letter informing you of the plans for Burnt Oak Jobcentre was unclear. I have reviewed the guidance covering these circumstances and put in place arrangements to help ensure we are clearer about proposals and plans in the future. I have instructed my District Managers to state when writing to Members of Parliament and stakeholders the actual names of any offices they are considering closing as part of their Jobcentre Plus Service Delivery Plans.
	I hope this is helpful.

New Deal

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 12 March 2003, Official Report, column 335, on the New Deal, how many individuals embarked upon test trading under (a) the New Deal for Young People and (b) the New Deal 25 Plus, in each period listed.

Nick Brown: The information is in the table.
	
		
			 New Deal for Young People Total numbers of people starting test trading 
		
		
			 April 1 998 to December 2000 3,400 
			 January to December 2001 1,050 
			 January to September 2002 900 
			 Total 5,350 
		
	
	
		
			 New Deal 25 plus Total numbers of people starting test trading 
		
		
			 April to December 2001(19) 910 
			 January to September 2002 3,020 
			 Total 3,930 
		
	
	Source:New Deal Evaluation Database
	Note: 
	(19) New Deal 25 plus did not have a self-employment option until it was enhanced in April 2001.
	In the answer given to the hon. Member, on 12 March, Official Report, column 335W, the table for the New Deal 25 plus was incorrectly labelled. The section labelled as January to December 2002 should have read January to September 2002.
	The corrected table is as follows:
	
		
			 New Deal 25 plus(21) Left New Deal for sustained employment following test trading(20) 
		
		
			 April 1998 to December 2001 30 
			 January to September 2002 410 
			 Total 440 
		
	
	Notes
	(20) Figures include people who moved into sustained employment as employees following test trading.
	(21) New Deal 25 Plus did not have a self-employed option until it was enhanced in April 2001.
	(22) Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source: Labour Market System and New Deal Evaluation Database

Staff Numbers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff worked in the (a) Child Support Agency, (b) pensions service and administration, (c) disability benefits delivery and administration, (d) child benefit delivery and administration, (e) benefit offices, (f) job centre offices and (g) Central administration rating areas in each year from 199596 to 200203; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Information is not available prior to January 2001. Such information as is available is given in the table .
	
		
			  2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 (a) Child Support Agency 9,921 10,869 11,209 
			 (b) Pensions Service and Administration  9,930 15,801 
			 (c) Disability Benefit Delivery and Administration 6,624 7,294 7,279 
			 (d) Child Benefit delivery and administration 1,754 1,871 1,924 
			 (e) Benefit Offices 55,340   
			 (f)Job Centre Offices 32,198 83,783 78,543 
			 (g)Central Administration 10,275 11,746 12,247 
			 Total DWP staff 116,112 125,493 127,003 
		
	
	Notes:
	(23) Numbers are WTE (rounded) and are consistent with Cabinet Office definitions other than the inclusion of staff on paid maternity leave.
	(24) Numbers for 2001 and 2002 are point in time as at 30 June each year. Figures for 2003 are point in time as at 28 February 2003, the latest data available.
	(25) Staff numbers for Appeals Service are included with Central Administration numbers.